导致

导致 means 'to cause' or 'to result in.' It is used to indicate that one event or action leads to another, often with a negative or unintended consequence.

The character 导 (dǎo) originally meant 'to lead' or 'to guide,' while 致 (zhì) means 'to reach' or 'to arrive at.' Together, they form a compound that conveys the idea of leading to a particular outcome, emphasizing causation rather than direct action.

导致 is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to explain the relationship between causes and effects. It is frequently found in news articles, academic writing, and everyday conversations when discussing reasons behind events or problems.