加速
jiāsù · HSK 5
accelerate
🏎️💨 加 (add) + 速 (speed) = add speed → accelerate
加 means add or increase; 速 means speed or rapid (also in 速度 sùdù 'velocity'). Together they literally mean add-speed, i.e. speed up or expedite. Common in traffic, business, and physics contexts.
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.