The Chinese word "工作" is formed by combining two characters: "工" and "作". "工" originates from ancient pictographs representing a tool, such as a carpenter's square, symbolizing labor or craftsmanship. "作" is composed of "人" (person) and "乍" (indicating action or initiation), originally meaning to rise, make, or engage in activity. Together, they create a compound where "工" emphasizes the concept of work or skill, and "作" adds the notion of human action or creation, resulting in the modern meaning of "work" or "job" through their combined semantic contribution.