The word 流浪 is formed by combining two characters that each evoke a specific kind of motion, merging their meanings into a single, more profound concept. The first character, 流 (liú), means "to flow" like a river or current, suggesting constant, fluid movement. The second, 浪 (làng), means "wave" and carries connotations of something unrestrained, adrift, or without a fixed path. When placed together, they create a powerful compound metaphor: the image of flowing like wandering waves, perfectly capturing the essence of drifting aimlessly, being rootless, and moving without a permanent home or destination.