The word **响应** (xiǎngyìng), meaning "to respond" or "to answer a call," is a compound formed through the combination of two meaningful characters: **响** (xiǎng), which originally means "sound" or "echo," and **应** (yìng), which means "to answer" or "to correspond to." Together, they create a metaphorical and vivid concept where the first character, **响**, acts as a noun or adverbial modifier ("like an echo" or "with sound"), and the second, **应**, provides the core verbal action of "answering." Thus, the compound literally paints the picture of "an echo answering back," which evolved semantically to signify any form of active support, reply, or resonance with an initiative, appeal, or policy.