致敬
zhì jìng · HSK 7
to pay respects to
🫡 致 deliver + 敬 respect = deliver your respect, i.e. pay homage / salute
致 means to extend or convey, 敬 means respect or reverence. Put together they mean conveying respect to someone, hence to salute or pay one's respects.
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.'
敬 — 苟 (gǒu, phonetic) + 攵 (tap/strike)
Originally depicted a person being urged or disciplined with a stick (攵), with 苟 providing the sound. The early sense was 'to warn' or 'to be on guard,' which extended to careful, attentive behavior. From there it shifted to 'respect' and 'reverence,' the modern meaning.