The word 激发 is formed by combining two conceptual characters: 激, which conveys the idea of stimulating, stirring, or exciting (like agitating water), and 发, which means to emit, release, or set forth. Together, they create a cause-and-effect synergy where the action of the first character (激) actively triggers and releases the latent potential or energy inherent in the second character (发), resulting in the unified meaning "to arouse, to stimulate, to inspire". It is a metaphorical compound where the first element acts upon the second to produce a new, active state.