导致
dǎozhì · HSK 4
bring about
➡️ 导 = guide + 致 = cause; together: guide-cause = lead to / bring about
导 means to guide or lead (as in 导师 mentor, 导游 tour guide). 致 means to cause or deliver (as in 致命 fatal, 致谢 express thanks). Combined, 导致 = guide-into-causing, i.e. to lead to a result or bring about an outcome, usually negative.
致 — arrive 至 + strike/go 攵
Originally a compound of 至 (to arrive, showing an arrow reaching the ground) and 攵 (a hand with a stick, indicating action). Together they suggested 'to cause to arrive' or 'to send/deliver,' which broadened into modern senses like 'to send, devote, or bring about.'