The word 震惊 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a layer of meaning to create a powerful composite concept. The first character, 震 (zhèn), carries the core idea of a violent shaking or tremor, like an earthquake. The second character, 惊 (jīng), conveys the sense of being startled, frightened, or emotionally alarmed. Together, they merge the physical metaphor of a seismic shock with the psychological state of sudden, profound alarm, resulting in the meaning of "to be shocked" or "astounded", as if one's very foundation has been abruptly shaken by startling news or events.