危及
wēi jí · HSK 7
to endanger
⚠️ 危 (danger) + 及 (reach, extend to) = danger reaches it, to endanger
危 carries the peril; 及 means to reach or extend to. Together the danger extends onto a target, so 危及 means to endanger or jeopardize. Compare 普及 (extend widely) for the same 及 sense of reaching out.
及 — hand 又 reaching person 人
Originally a pictograph showing a hand (又) catching or reaching a person from behind, depicting the act of catching up to someone. The core meaning 'to reach' or 'to catch up to' extended to 'and' (reaching/including more items) and 'in time for'. Modern form simplifies the person and hand into connected strokes.