The word 卫生 (wèishēng) is formed through a conceptual fusion of its two component characters: 卫 (wèi), meaning "to guard" or "protect", and 生 (shēng), meaning "life", "living", or "birth". Together, they create a compound idea that conceptually means "guarding life" or "protecting livelihood". This formation reflects a traditional and holistic view where practices of cleanliness, sanitation, and preventive care are not seen as separate routines but are intrinsically understood as the active and necessary defense of one's vitality and well-being from disorder or disease.