The Chinese word **龌龊 (wòchuò)** is a vivid example of semantic compounding, where two characters with similar meanings are combined to intensify and specify a concept. Individually, **龌** historically relates to narrowness or constriction of space, while **龊** suggests dirtiness or filth. When fused, their literal meanings of "dirty and cramped" evolved metaphorically to depict moral and behavioral impurity—describing someone as despicably petty, unscrupulous, or having a "dirty" character. This formation follows a common pattern in Chinese where two synonymous or related morphemes create a single, more expressive term, in this case transforming physical descriptors into a powerful abstract condemnation of unethical conduct.