The word 颜色 (yánsè, "color") is formed by combining two characters that each contribute related but distinct concepts: 颜 originally referred to the face, countenance, or appearance, particularly highlighting expression, while 色 inherently means color, hue, or look. Together, they create a composite idea where 颜 suggests the surface or place where color manifests (like the face) and 色 specifies the quality of the color itself, thus evolving to represent the general concept of "color" as we perceive it in objects and the world.