加以
jiāyǐ · HSK 5
treat
🔧 加 (add) + 以 (use/apply) = apply action to; handle
加以 literally combines 加 'add/apply' with 以 'by means of / use'. It's a formal verb-marker placed before two-syllable verbs like 分析 or 解决, signaling that the action is being applied to the topic just mentioned.
加 — force 力 + mouth 口
加 is traditionally analyzed as a compound of 力 (strength) and 口 (mouth), suggesting boasting or exaggerating one's effort with words. From this it extended to the meaning 'to add' or 'increase'. Today it is used broadly for addition, both literal and figurative.
以 — phonetic 㠯 (plow/tool) + 人 (person)
Originally a pictograph of a hand-held plow or tool (㠯), later combined with 人 (person) to suggest 'using' something. The core meaning 'to use' extended metaphorically to 'by means of', 'with', and 'because of'. In modern Chinese it functions mainly as a grammatical particle.