The idiom 受宠若惊 (shòu chǒng ruò jīng) is formed through a classical Chinese grammatical structure where two parallel phrases are juxtaposed to create a metaphorical meaning. Literally, 受宠 means "to receive favor (or宠爱, affection from a superior)", and 若惊 means "as if startled". The word 若 (ruò, "as if") acts as a pivotal link, creating a simile that compares the psychological state of receiving unexpected and lavish favor to the physical reaction of being startled or alarmed. Thus, the compound semantically conveys the feeling of being overwhelmingly flustered, honored, and pleasantly uneasy due to unanticipated kindness or promotion, reflecting a humble reaction rooted in traditional Chinese etiquette. Its formation is typical of four-character idioms derived from classical texts, condensing a complex situational and emotional concept into a fixed, elegant expression.