The word 澄清 is formed by combining two characters, each meaning "clear" or "pure" in the context of water. 澄 (chéng) depicts water that has become clear and still, allowing sediment to settle. 清 (qīng) represents water in its naturally pure, transparent state. Together, they create a powerful metaphor: the compound word visually and conceptually represents the process of causing muddy water to settle and become clear, which is then extended to mean "to clarify" a situation or statement, removing confusion just as sediment is removed from water.