The Chinese word "故弄玄虚" is formed through the sequential combination of four characters: "故" (deliberately) modifies the verb "弄" (to play with), which then acts upon the compound object "玄虚", composed of "玄" (mysterious) and "虚" (abstract), two synonymous terms that together emphasize enigmatic emptiness. This structure yields a verb phrase meaning to intentionally make something seem mysterious or unnecessarily obscure.