The word 此刻 is formed through the direct combination of two independent characters, each contributing a core meaning to create a specific concept. 此 (cǐ) means "this", pointing to something immediate and present. 刻 (kè) originally referred to a notch or engraving, but here carries the abstract sense of a measured, precise point or moment in time. By joining them, the concept shifts from a general "this" to the pinpointed and immediate "this moment" or "right now", where 此 defines the proximity and 刻 defines the temporal unit.