The word 独辟蹊径 is formed by the sequential combination of four characters: 独 meaning "alone" or "solely", 辟 meaning "to open up" or "to break", 蹊 meaning "path" or "trail", and 径 meaning "path" or "way". When combined, they literally express the action of "opening up a new path alone", which directly conveys the figurative meaning of forging a unique or innovative approach independently.