The word **冷淡** (lěngdàn) is a compound formed by the semantic combination of two characters, each contributing to the abstract concept of emotional indifference. The first character, **冷** (lěng), literally means "cold," referring to temperature, and here provides the primary metaphor of emotional chill or lack of warmth. The second character, **淡** (dàn), literally means "thin," "light," or "weak" (as in a diluted flavor or pale color), and here extends the metaphor to imply a faint, diluted, or insubstantial level of interest or enthusiasm. Together, they create a powerful, synergistic meaning—**冷** supplying the sense of active unkindness or distance, and **淡** supplying the sense of passivity and scant feeling—resulting in the comprehensive meaning of "cold and indifferent," "apathetic," or "to treat somebody coldly."