The Chinese word 门徒 (méntú) is a compound term formed by combining the characters 门 (mén), meaning "door" or "gate", and 徒 (tú), meaning "follower" or "disciple". It is a classical, metaphorical construction where 门 represents the "school" or "teaching of a master" (as one enters through the door to learn), and 徒 directly denotes the adherent. Thus, 门徒 literally means "follower at the door", figuratively signifying a devoted student or disciple who learns directly from a teacher or master within a specific tradition or school of thought.