The word 窝囊废 is formed from three characters: 窝, which conveys a sense of being curled up or timid; 囊, suggesting something bag-like and insubstantial; and 废, meaning useless or waste. The combination 窝囊 already denotes helplessness or incompetence, and adding 废 intensifies the meaning to refer specifically to a utterly useless or cowardly person.