The word 待遇 is formed through a conceptual metaphor where two independent characters are combined to create a new, abstract meaning. The first character, 待, carries the core idea of "to treat" or "to receive someone". The second, 遇, means "to meet" or "an encounter". When fused, the literal sense of "how one is treated upon meeting" is extended metaphorically to encompass the entire set of conditions, remuneration, and benefits one receives in a structured context, like employment, thus forming the modern meaning of "treatment", "salary", or "terms of employment".