The word 督察 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a core concept to create a unified meaning. The first character, 督, carries the idea of overseeing, supervising, or directing. The second character, 察, means to examine, inspect, or investigate in detail. When merged, the term conceptually represents the action and role of supervisory inspection, a person or function that not only oversees but does so through active scrutiny and examination, leading to its common translation as "inspector" or "superintendent".