The word 游艇 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a clear meaning to create a new concept. The first character, 游 (yóu), carries the core idea of "traveling", "roaming", or "leisurely movement", often for pleasure. The second character, 艇 (tǐng), specifically means a "small boat" or "craft". When joined, the meaning of "艇" is directly modified and specialized by "游", transforming a generic small boat into the more specific concept of a "pleasure craft" or "yacht", a vessel defined by its purpose of leisure travel and recreation on water.