The word 房地产 is formed by combining three distinct concepts into a single, cohesive idea. It begins with 房 (fáng), meaning "house" or "building", the physical structure. This is placed upon and derived from 地 (dì), meaning "land" or "earth", the essential foundation. Together, 房地 suggests "house and land". The final character 产 (chǎn) means "property" or "asset", transforming the combination from just physical objects into the broader concept of owned capital. Thus, the term sequentially and logically builds from the base (land) to the structure (building) to its economic essence (property), culminating in the comprehensive idea of "real estate".