甚至
shènzhì · HSK 4
even
甚 (extreme) + 至 (arrive) = reaching an extreme — even, so much so
甚 means extreme or very, and 至 means to arrive or reach. Together they mark an extreme endpoint of a list or claim — so much so that, even to the point of. Often pairs with 连…甚至… for escalation.
至 — arrow 矢 inverted + ground 一
至 is a pictograph showing an arrow (矢) landing point-down on the ground (一), depicting the moment it reaches its target. The original meaning was 'to arrive' or 'to reach,' which extended to 'utmost' or 'extreme' — the point beyond which one cannot go further.