加剧
jiā jù · HSK 7
to aggravate
📈🔥 加 (add) + 剧 (intense) = add intensity → intensify, aggravate
加 means add or increase; 剧 means severe or intense (also drama, as in 戏剧). Together they mean to make something already-intense even worse, so it fits negative trends like worsening conflict or sharpening pain.
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.
剧 — 豦 (tiger+pig) + 刂 knife radical
Originally written 劇, a phono-semantic compound: 豦 (jù, a fierce beast) gives the sound, while 刂 (knife) suggests intensity or cutting action. The original meaning was 'severe' or 'intense,' later extended to 'drama/play' since theatrical performances were dramatic and intense. 剧 is the simplified form.