此致
cǐ zhì · HSK 6
(used at the end of a letter to introduce a polite salutation)
✉️ 此 = this + 致 = convey; 'hereby convey [respects]' — letter sign-off
Fixed epistolary formula: 此 (this/here) + 致 (deliver, extend) literally means 'hereby extend [my regards]'. Pairs with 敬礼 as 此致敬礼 at the end of formal Chinese letters, right before the signature.
此 — foot 止 + spoon/person 匕
此 originally depicted a person (匕) standing with a foot (止), suggesting 'to stop here' or 'this place.' Over time the meaning generalized from a specific location to the demonstrative pronoun 'this.' The foot component still hints at the original sense of standing in a particular spot.
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.'