The word 清楚 is formed by combining two distinct characters, each contributing a layer of meaning to create a unified concept. 清 (qīng) originally depicts water that is pure, transparent, and free of obscurity. 楚 (chǔ) originally referred to a type of thorny shrub, later evoking the idea of something sharp, distinct, and orderly, like neatly arranged branches. When fused, the word paints a mental picture: the visual clarity of clear water (清) merges with the precise, well-defined sharpness of an outline (楚) to express a comprehensive state of being clear, lucid, and understood, whether in perception, explanation, or thought.