The Chinese word "身不由己" is formed by sequentially combining four characters: "身" meaning one's body or self, "不" meaning not, "由" meaning from or by, and "己" meaning oneself. This literal juxtaposition creates the phrase "self not from self", where "身" serves as the subject, "不" negates the agency implied by "由", and "己" acts as the object, collectively conveying the idea that one's actions are dictated by external forces rather than personal will.