The word "监视" is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a core meaning to create a new, unified concept. The first character, "监" (jiān), carries the ancient idea of looking down from a height to oversee or supervise, like a guard in a tower. The second character, "视" (shì), simply means to look at or to watch. When placed together, the meaning of "监" governs and intensifies the action of "视", transforming the basic act of "looking" into the specific, purposeful, and often covert act of "monitoring" or "surveilling", implying a watchful supervision over someone or something.