遇到 (yù dào), meaning “to encounter” or “to run into,” combines the concept of an unexpected meeting with the act of moving towards something.

Here’s a breakdown of the characters:

• 遇 (yù): This character means “to meet,” “to encounter,” or “to happen upon.” It originally depicted a person walking along a road and unexpectedly coming across another person, symbolizing an unplanned encounter.

• 到 (dào): This character means “to arrive,” “to reach,” or “to go to.” It originally depicted a person arriving at a destination, symbolizing the completion of a journey or the act of reaching a certain point.

Combining these elements, 遇到 literally means “to meet upon arrival” or “to encounter something while going somewhere.” This emphasizes the unplanned or unexpected nature of the encounter, often implying a chance meeting or an unforeseen situation.

The term 遇到 is used in various contexts related to encounters and experiences:

• 遇到困难 (yù dào kùnnan): To encounter difficulties
• 遇到问题 (yù dào wèntí): To run into problems
• 偶然遇到 (ǒurán yù dào): To meet by chance

By understanding the original meaning of 遇到, we can appreciate its connection to chance encounters and unexpected situations. It reflects the unpredictable nature of life and the various experiences we may encounter along the way.