The word 技术 (jìshù, "technology/technique") is formed through the semantic combination of two characters: 技, which conveys the idea of skill, art, or ability (often manual or practical), and 术, which signifies method, art, or systematic knowledge. Together, they conceptually merge the notion of practical skill or craft with the underlying principles and systematic techniques required to execute it, evolving from its historical meaning of "craftsmanship" to encompass the modern, broad concept of organized technical knowledge and applied science, or "technology".