The word **潜伏** is a compound verb formed by combining two characters with semantically related meanings: **潜** (qián), which means "to hide," "to submerge," or "to lurk secretly," and **伏** (fú), which means "to bend over," "to lie prostrate," or "to conceal." Together, they create a nuanced term meaning "to lie hidden," "to be latent," or "to infiltrate and wait in concealment," where **潜** emphasizes the hidden, submerged nature of the action and **伏** adds the dimension of being in a lowered, crouched, or patient state of readiness, often for a strategic purpose.