How to Write 至 (zhì) — Meaning “To; until; most; extreme.”

Picture a straight path (the top horizontal line) leading down to a target (the bottom horizontal lines). The slanted stroke in the middle is like an arrow flying toward the target, helping you remember the meaning "to" or "reaching."

Start with the top horizontal stroke, then write the left-falling diagonal stroke, then the horizontal bend (like a U shape), followed by a vertical stroke straight down, and finish with two horizontal lines at the bottom. A common mistake is making the bottom part too wide or misaligning the vertical stroke with the center.

至少 (zhì shǎo) means "at least" and is used for minimum requirements, e.g., "至少五个人" (at least five people). 至于 (zhì yú) means "as for" and introduces a new topic. 甚至 (shèn zhì) means "even" and adds emphasis, like in "他甚至没吃饭" (He didn't even eat).

至 is common in both spoken and written Chinese, especially in fixed expressions like 至今 (zhì jīn, "until now") and 至多 (zhì duō, "at most"). Culturally, it appears in philosophical concepts such as 至善 (zhì shàn, "supreme goodness") from Confucianism, showing its use to express the highest degree.

Common words containing 至 include: 至少 (zhì shǎo) — At least.; 至于 (zhì yú) — As for; as to; regarding.; 甚至 (shèn zhì) — even; so much so that.