The word **挖苦** is formed through a metaphorical combination of its two constituent characters: **挖** (wā), meaning "to dig" or "to excavate," and **苦** (kǔ), meaning "bitterness" or "hardship." Together, they create the concept of "to speak sarcastically" or "to mock," as the compound figuratively evokes the act of digging up or exposing someone's bitter or painful points—essentially, using words to probe at another's vulnerabilities in a cutting, ironic manner. This formation is typical of Chinese compound words where concrete verbs are paired with abstract nouns to generate a vivid, figurative meaning.