The word "冲锋枪" is formed by combining three characters: 冲, meaning "charge" or "rush"; 锋, meaning "front" or "vanguard"; and 枪, meaning "gun". The pair 冲锋 together denotes "charge" or "assault", and when 枪 is added, it specifies a firearm designed for such rapid, close-range attacks, resulting in the term for a submachine gun or assault rifle.