approach, draw near, push open
挨 centers on moving closer or making contact: approaching, drawing near, or pushing something open by pressing against it.
挨 combines 扌 (hand) with 矣, which likely contributes the sound. The hand component suggests actions done by hand, such as pushing or drawing near.
A hand 扌 beside 矣, which looks like a person leaning in. Picture a hand reaching out to approach someone or push a door open.
For アイ, imagine an eye (アイ) drawn near to inspect something closely: eye -> アイ, and the hand pushes it closer.
greeting; greetings; salutation; salute; polite set phrase used when meeting or parting from someone
greeting
dialoging (with another Zen practitioner to ascertain their level of enlightenment)
incivility; impoliteness
New Year's greetings
without compliments (greetings)
blessed are the peacemakers; one should appreciate and follow the advice of a mediator
money speaks louder than words; money is better than (empty) words; yen bills over salutations
to exchange greetings
substitute for a proper greeting (e.g. gift)
courtesy call; going around to say hello (or goodbye) to everybody; making the rounds
greeting phrase (in letter, etc.); salutation
greeting card
words of greeting
seasonal greeting; conventional opening phrase in a letter, appropriate to the season
on-stage speech by the director and cast on the opening day of a movie or play