The word "说法" is formed through the combination of the character for "to speak" or "to say" (说) and the character for "method", "way", or "law" (法). This creates a conceptual fusion where the act of speaking is framed by a specific method or principle, giving rise to the core meaning of a "stated viewpoint", "way of explaining", or "particular interpretation" of something. It essentially captures the notion of an opinion or account that is presented with a certain formality or rationale, as if following an implicit rule or approach to articulation.