The word "金龟子" is formed by combining three characters: "金" meaning gold or metallic, describing the insect's shiny color; "龟" meaning turtle, referring to its hard, shell-like exterior; and "子" a suffix that denotes a small entity, indicating it is a small insect. Together, they literally translate to "golden turtle little one", directly naming a type of beetle known for its metallic sheen and hardened cover.