The word "影子" (yǐngzi) is formed through a logical and visually descriptive process: the primary character 影 itself is a pictographic ideogram combining 景 (meaning scenery or light) with the three-stroke element 彡 (often depicting rays or patterns of light), effectively creating the concept of a darkened shape cast by light. The suffix 子 is then added not for meaning but as a common, neutral noun-forming particle in Mandarin, turning the conceptual character "影" into the everyday, concrete noun "影子" for "shadow".