The word 社会主义 is formed by combining 社会, meaning "society", which itself derives from 社 (denoting communal gatherings) and 会 (meaning assembly), with 主义, meaning "doctrine" or "ism", composed of 主 (indicating main or master) and 义 (referring to principle or righteousness). This compound term literally translates to "society doctrine", directly conveying the concept of socialism as an ideology focused on societal organization.