The Chinese word 民谣 (mínyáo), meaning "folk song" or "ballad", is a compound noun formed by combining two characters: 民 (mín), which means "the people" or "folk", and 谣 (yáo), which specifically means "ballad", "rhyme", or "folk song". Together, they create a semantic compound where 民 modifies 谣 to specify the type of song, literally "folk ballad" or "song of the people", accurately describing its origin and cultural context as music rooted in the traditions and everyday lives of the common populace.