The word 自尊 is formed by combining two conceptual building blocks: 自 (zì), meaning "self" or "one's own", and 尊 (zūn), meaning "to respect", "to honor", or "dignity". When placed together, they create a composite idea where the action or state of respect is directed inwardly toward the self. It is a direct conceptual fusion where the "self" becomes both the subject and the object of "respect", resulting in the core meaning of self-respect or self-esteem.