The word "比如" is formed by combining two individual characters, each contributing its core meaning to create a new, fused concept. The first character, "比" (bǐ), carries the fundamental idea of "to compare" or "to liken". It is joined with "如" (rú), which means "like", "as", or "according to". When merged, the characters construct a logical sequence: first, the act of setting up a comparison ("比"), and then, the act of stating what that comparison is similar to ("如"). Thus, the formation is a direct semantic combination where "比" provides the methodological framework of drawing an analogy, and "如" supplies the relational link of similarity, resulting in the combined sense of "for example".