When you combine them, 文 (writing/language) + 章 (structure/section) = 文章 (wénzhāng), a well-structured, complete piece of writing.
In Chinese culture, writing has historically been held in extremely high esteem. For centuries, the path to becoming a government official was through the imperial examinations (科举, kējǔ), which heavily tested a candidate's ability to write a powerful and elegant 文章. This has created a deep-seated respect for those who can write well (文人, wénrén - scholars/literati). This differs from the Western view of an “article” or “essay,” which is often seen as a purely functional tool for conveying information or argument. In China, a good 文章 is not just informative; it's a reflection of the author's education, intellect, and even moral character. The popular idiom 文如其人 (wén rú qí rén), meaning “one's writing is a reflection of one's character,” captures this idea perfectly. While a Westerner might say “a clear article,” a Chinese person might praise an article for its beautiful phrasing (文笔优美, wénbǐ yōuměi), showing that the artistry is just as important as the content.
文章 is an everyday word used in various contexts:
The connotation of 文章 is generally neutral, but a “good article” (好文章, hǎo wénzhāng) is a high compliment.