The Chinese word "雾霾" is formed by combining two characters: "雾", which means "fog", and "霾", which means "haze" or "smog". Each character denotes a separate atmospheric phenomenon, "雾" refers to condensed water vapor reducing visibility, while "霾" refers to airborne dust or pollutants causing haziness. Together, they create a compound noun that specifically describes the combination of fog and particulate pollution, commonly understood as smog.