The word 欲望 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a layer of meaning to create a unified concept. The first character, 欲 (yù), fundamentally means "wish" or "desire", representing an internal craving or impulse. The second, 望 (wàng), originally depicted a person standing on earth gazing at the moon, thus conveying the sense of "to gaze into the distance" or "to hope for". When fused, 欲 provides the core feeling of wanting, while 望 extends that feeling outward, adding a dimension of aspiration or longing for something perceived but not yet attained. Together, they form a compound that powerfully encapsulates the human experience of directed, yearning desire.