The Chinese word 低级 (dījí) is formed through the compounding of two independent, meaningful characters: 低 (dī), meaning "low" (in height, status, or standard), and 级 (jí), meaning "level", "grade", or "rank". This is a standard semantic compound, where the combined meaning is directly derived from the sum of its parts, resulting in the literal meaning of "low level". It is commonly used to describe something of inferior quality, vulgar taste, or primitive nature, extending the literal spatial/ranking concept into a qualitative judgment.