The word 现象 is formed by combining two meaningful characters, each contributing to the overall concept. The first character, 现 (xiàn), carries the core idea of appearing, revealing, or becoming visible in the present moment. It is paired with 象 (xiàng), which denotes an image, form, shape, or outward appearance. Together, they conceptually create the notion of "an appearance that manifests" or "a visible image", directly pointing to an observable occurrence or a perceptible fact in the world, which is what the word "phenomenon" means.