The word 钞票 is formed by combining two characters, 钞 and 票, which both historically and semantically relate to forms of paper-based value. 钞 originally referred to paper money or banknotes, while 票 broadly referred to a slip, note, or certificate (like a draft or ticket). By joining them, the compound creates a reinforced and specific modern term for paper currency, where both elements contribute the core idea of a negotiable paper document representing monetary value.