波及
bōjí · HSK 7
spread to
🌊 波 wave + 及 reach = ripples that spread and touch everything
Ripples always reach the far bank. 波及 captures that: a wave (波) that reaches (及), influence spreading outward to new places.
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.