The word 决斗 is formed by combining two conceptual ideas into a single, vivid action. The first character, 决 (jué), carries the core meaning of "to decide" or "to settle conclusively". The second character, 斗 (dòu), means "to fight" or "to combat". Therefore, the word is not merely "fighting", but rather depicts a specific, formalized confrontation where the fight itself is the method for achieving a final and decisive resolution to a conflict or dispute, historically often over honor.