The word "惭愧" is formed by combining two characters, each constructed with the heart radical "忄" to denote emotion. "惭" incorporates the component "斩" (meaning to chop), suggesting a cutting or painful feeling in the heart associated with shame. "愧" includes "鬼" (meaning ghost), implying a haunting or disturbing sense of guilt. Together, these characters create a compound word where both semantic elements reinforce the meaning of being ashamed or guilty.