The word "悄悄" is formed through the process of reduplication, where the single character "悄" (qiāo), which carries the core meaning of "quiet" or "silent", is repeated. This duplication does not create a new meaning but intensifies and enriches the original concept, transforming it from a simple state of quiet into an adverb describing an action done in a hushed, secretive, or softly stealthy manner. The repetition itself amplifies the sense of silence and adds a layer of subjective feeling or manner.