接近
せっきん · sekkin · JLPT N2 · noun
closer
接 (connect, receive) + 近 (near) = connecting to something that is near
接 means to connect or meet, and 近 means near. Together they describe the act of drawing nearer until you connect with something.
接 — hand 扌 + concubine 妾 (phonetic)
接 is a semantic-phonetic compound. The hand radical 扌 carries the meaning of receiving or joining with the hand, while 妾 supplies the sound. From 'taking with the hand' it broadened to 'receive, meet, connect, join together'.
近 — 辶 (walk) + 斤 (axe, phonetic)
近 is a semantic-phonetic compound. The 辶 radical signals movement or distance, while 斤 (axe) supplies the sound. Together they convey the idea of a short distance to walk, hence 'near' or 'close'.