The character 爆 (bào) carries the meaning of a sudden, violent expansion or bursting, like an explosion. The character 发 (fā) carries the meaning of releasing, emitting, or sending forth. Combined into the word 爆发, their meanings are conceptually merged to vividly depict the action of a powerful, pent-up force being violently and suddenly released outward, capturing the essence of events like volcanoes erupting, wars erupting, or emotions erupting.