The Chinese word **支架 (zhījià)** is a compound noun formed by combining two meaningful characters: **支 (zhī)**, which means "to support" or "to prop up," and **架 (jià)**, which means "frame," "rack," or "stand." Together, they create a **modifier-head** (偏正) compound where the first character describes the function (supporting) of the second character (the frame). Therefore, 支架 literally means a "supporting frame," and by extension refers to any bracket, stand, stent, or scaffold—a structural object designed to hold something else up or in place.