Word

发 (fā) — Chinese word meaning

HSK 3

Meaning of 发

动 dòng verb

to send; to issue; to emit; to develop; to occur

他发了一封邮件给我。

tā fā le yī fēng yóu jiàn gěi wǒ

He sent me an email.

Word breakdown

发 fā — to send; to issue; to emit; to develop; to occur

1 出发 chū fā — to depart HSK 3
- 出 to go out, to exit
- 发 to start, to initiate
Example

我们明天早上七点出发。

wǒ men míng tiān zǎo shang qī diǎn chū fā

We depart tomorrow morning at seven o'clock.
2 发展 fā zhǎn — develop HSK 3
- 发 initiate, launch, start
- 展 unfold, expand, spread out
Example

中国经济发展很快。

Zhōng guó jīng jì fā zhǎn hěn kuài

China's economy is developing very quickly.
3 发烧 fā shāo — to have a fever HSK 3
- 发 to develop, to emit
- 烧 fever, burning sensation
Example

他发烧了，需要休息。

tā fā shāo le xū yào xiū xi

He has a fever and needs to rest.
4 发现 fā xiàn — to discover HSK 3
- 发 to emit, bring forth
- 现 to appear, become visible
Example

科学家发现了一种新的物种。

kē xué jiā fā xiàn le yī zhǒng xīn de wù zhǒng

Scientists discovered a new species.
5 发生 fā shēng — to happen HSK 3
- 发 to initiate, to emit
- 生 to arise, to come into being
Example

这里发生了什么事？

zhè lǐ fā shēng le shén me shì

What happened here?

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6 沙发 shā fā — sofa HSK 3
- 沙 phonetic component representing 'so' sound from English 'sofa'
- 发 phonetic component representing 'fa' sound from English 'sofa'
Example

客厅里有一张舒适的沙发。

kè tīng lǐ yǒu yì zhāng shū shì de shā fā

There's a comfortable sofa in the living room.
7 发出 fā chū — to emit, send out, issue HSK 4
- 发 to send forth, to issue, to produce
- 出 out, outward (directional complement)
Example

这个设备发出奇怪的声音。

zhè ge shè bèi fā chū qí guài de shēng yīn

This device emits a strange sound.
8 发送 fā sòng — to send HSK 4
- 发 to send out, emit, dispatch
- 送 to deliver, send to a destination
Example

我需要发送一封电子邮件。

wǒ xū yào fā sòng yì fēng diàn zǐ yóu jiàn

I need to send an email.
9 转发 zhuǎn fā — to forward, to repost HSK 4
- 转 to transfer, to relay
- 发 to send out, to dispatch
Example

我把这条消息转发给你了。

wǒ bǎ zhè tiáo xiāo xi zhuǎn fā gěi nǐ le

I forwarded this message to you.
10 发布 fā bù — to release, to publish HSK 5
- 发 to send out, to issue
- 布 to spread, to announce publicly
Example

公司明天发布新产品。

gōng sī míng tiān fā bù xīn chǎn pǐn

The company will release a new product tomorrow.
11 发挥 fā huī — to bring into play; to give play to; to exert HSK 5
- 发 to send out; to express; to bring forth
- 挥 to wield; to exercise; to put forth
Example

他在比赛中充分发挥了自己的水平。

tā zài bǐ sài zhōng chōng fèn fā huī le zì jǐ de shuǐ píng

He fully brought his abilities into play in the competition.
12 发明 fā míng — to invent HSK 5
- 发 to develop, to bring forth, to initiate
- 明 clear, to clarify, to make known
Example

爱迪生发明了电灯。

Ài dí shēng fā míng le diàn dēng

Edison invented the light bulb.
13 发表 fā biǎo — to publish HSK 5
- 发 to send out, to issue
- 表 to express, to show publicly
Example

这篇论文已经在杂志上发表了。

zhè piān lùn wén yǐ jīng zài zá zhì shàng fā biǎo le

This paper has already been published in the journal.
14 发言 fā yán — to speak HSK 5
- 发 to express, to put forth
- 言 speech, words
Example

他在会议上发言了。

tā zài huì yì shàng fā yán le

He spoke at the meeting.
15 发起 fā qǐ — to initiate, to launch HSK 5
- 发 to send out, to emit, to set in motion
- 起 to rise, to start up, to begin
Example

他们发起了一场环保运动。

tā men fā qǐ le yī chǎng huán bǎo yùn dòng

They launched an environmental protection campaign.
16 发达 fā dá — developed HSK 5
- 发 to develop, to expand
- 达 to reach, to attain
Example

发达国家的人民生活水平很高。

fā dá guó jiā de rén mín shēng huó shuǐ píng hěn gāo

The living standards of people in developed countries are very high.
17 发音 fā yīn — to pronounce HSK 5
- 发 to emit, to produce
- 音 sound
Example

这个字我不知道怎么发音。

zhè ge zì wǒ bù zhī dào zěn me fā yīn

I don't know how to pronounce this character.
18 开发 kāi fā — to develop HSK 5
- 开 to open, to start
- 发 to develop, to expand
Example

他们开发了一款新应用程序。

tā men kāi fā le yī kuǎn xīn yìng yòng chéng xù

They developed a new application.
19 研发 yán fā — research and develop HSK 5
- 研 research, study
- 发 develop, development
Example

我们公司正在研发新产品。

wǒ men gōng sī zhèng zài yán fā xīn chǎn pǐn

Our company is researching and developing new products.
20 发光 fā guāng — to shine HSK 6
- 发 to emit, to send out
- 光 light
Example

星星在夜空中发光。

xīng xīng zài yè kōng zhōng fā guāng

Stars shine in the night sky.
21 发动 fā dòng — to start, to launch HSK 6
- 发 to initiate, to emit
- 动 to move, motion
Example

司机发动了引擎。

sī jī fā dòng le yǐn qíng

The driver started the engine.
22 发愁 fā chóu — to worry HSK 6
- 发 to express, to emit (the action of bringing forth)
- 愁 worry, anxiety (the emotion being expressed)
Example

我正在为找工作的事发愁。

wǒ zhèng zài wèi zhǎo gōng zuò de shì fā chóu

I'm worrying about finding a job.
23 发放 fā fàng — to distribute, to issue HSK 6
- 发 to send out, to issue
- 放 to release, to give out
Example

公司明天发放工资。

gōng sī míng tiān fā fàng gōng zī

The company will distribute salaries tomorrow.
24 发炎 fā yán — to become inflamed HSK 6
- 发 to develop, to occur
- 炎 inflammation
Example

伤口发炎了，需要消毒。

shāng kǒu fā yán le xū yào xiāo dú

The wound became inflamed and needs disinfection.
25 发电 fā diàn — generate electricity HSK 6
- 发 to generate, to produce
- 电 electricity
Example

太阳能板可以发电。

tài yáng néng bǎn kě yǐ fā diàn

Solar panels can generate electricity.
26 发病 fā bìng — to fall ill; onset of disease HSK 6
- 发 to onset; to develop; to start
- 病 disease; illness
Example

他昨天突然发病了。

tā zuó tiān tū rán fā bìng le

He suddenly fell ill yesterday.
27 发票 fā piào — invoice HSK 6
- 发 to issue, to send out
- 票 document, certificate
Example

请给我开一张发票。

qǐng gěi wǒ kāi yì zhāng fā piào

Please issue me an invoice.
28 发育 fā yù — to develop HSK 6
- 发 to initiate, to start (the developmental process)
- 育 to grow, to nurture (development and maturation)
Example

孩子正在健康发育。

hái zi zhèng zài jiàn kāng fā yù

The child is developing healthily.
29 发行 fā xíng — to issue, to publish, to distribute HSK 6
- 发 to send out, to distribute
- 行 to circulate, to put into circulation
Example

中央银行决定发行新版货币。

zhōng yāng yín háng jué dìng fā xíng xīn bǎn huò bì

The central bank decided to issue new currency.
30 启发 qǐ fā — to inspire; to enlighten HSK 6
- 启 to open up; to initiate
- 发 to develop; to bring forth
Example

这本书启发了我的思考。

zhè běn shū qǐ fā le wǒ de sī kǎo

This book inspired my thinking.
31 引发 yǐn fā — to trigger HSK 6
- 引 to lead, to draw out
- 发 to emit, to occur
Example

他的言论引发了激烈的争论。

tā de yán lùn yǐn fā le jī liè de zhēng lùn

His remarks triggered a heated debate.
32 散发 sàn fā — to emit, give off HSK 6
- 散 disperse, spread out
- 发 emit, release
Example

这个蛋糕散发出诱人的香气。

zhè ge dàn gāo sàn fā chū yòu rén de xiāng qì

This cake gives off an enticing aroma.
33 激发 jī fā — to stimulate, to inspire, to arouse HSK 6
- 激 to excite intensely, to provoke
- 发 to bring forth, to trigger, to activate
Example

这个故事激发了孩子们的想象力。

zhè ge gù shi jī fā le hái zi men de xiǎng xiàng lì

This story stimulated the children's imagination.
34 爆发 bào fā — to break out; to erupt; to explode HSK 6
- 爆 explode; burst (conveys sudden, violent force)
- 发 emit; issue forth (indicates outward manifestation)
Example

战争突然爆发了。

zhàn zhēng tū rán bào fā le

War suddenly broke out.
35 突发 tū fā — to occur suddenly HSK 6
- 突 sudden, abrupt
- 发 to break out, to occur
Example

会议期间突发火灾。

huì yì qī jiān tū fā huǒ zāi

A fire broke out suddenly during the meeting.
36 一言不发 yì yán bù fā — not say a word HSK 7
- 一 one, single
- 言 word, speech
- 不 not
- 发 utter, emit, express
Example

面对指责，他一言不发。

miàn duì zhǐ zé tā yì yán bù fā

Faced with accusations, he didn't say a word.
37 出发点 chū fā diǎn — starting point HSK 7
- 出 to go out, to depart
- 发 to start, to launch
- 点 point, spot
Example

他的出发点是好的，但方法不对。

tā de chū fā diǎn shì hǎo de dàn fāng fǎ bù duì

His starting point was good, but the method was wrong.
38 分发 fēn fā — to distribute, to hand out HSK 7
- 分 to divide, to separate (among recipients)
- 发 to send out, to issue, to dispense
Example

老师在课堂上分发考试卷。

lǎo shī zài kè táng shàng fēn fā kǎo shì juàn

The teacher distributes exam papers in class.
39 发作 fā zuò — to flare up HSK 7
- 发 to break out, to initiate
- 作 to occur, to act up
Example

她的老毛病突然发作。

tā de lǎo máo bìng tū rán fā zuò

Her old ailment suddenly flared up.
40 发呆 fā dāi — to be in a daze, to stare blankly HSK 7
- 发 to enter a state, to become
- 呆 dazed, blank, stunned
Example

她看着窗外发呆。

tā kàn zhe chuāng wài fā dāi

She stares blankly out the window.
41 发射 fā shè — launch HSK 7
- 发 send out, emit
- 射 shoot, project
Example

中国成功发射了新的卫星。

Zhōng guó chéng gōng fā shè le xīn de wèi xīng

China successfully launched a new satellite.
42 发怒 fā nù — to get angry HSK 7
- 发 to emit, to express outwardly
- 怒 anger, rage
Example

老师对学生的行为发怒了。

lǎo shī duì xué sheng de xíng wéi fā nù le

The teacher got angry at the student's behavior.
43 发愣 fā lèng — to be in a daze HSK 7
- 发 to enter into (a state)
- 愣 dazed, stunned
Example

他听到这个消息后发愣了好一会儿。

tā tīng dào zhè ge xiāo xi hòu fā lèng le hǎo yī huì r

He was in a daze for quite a while after hearing the news.
44 发扬 fā yáng — to carry forward, to promote HSK 7
- 发 to bring out, to develop, to initiate
- 扬 to raise up, to spread, to make known
Example

我们要发扬优良传统。

wǒ men yào fā yáng yōu liáng chuán tǒng

We must carry forward fine traditions.
45 发扬光大 fā yáng guāng dà — to carry forward and expand HSK 7
- 发 to develop, to initiate
- 扬 to promote, to spread
- 光 glory, to glorify
- 大 to expand, to magnify
Example

我们要发扬光大中华优秀传统文化。

wǒ men yào fā yáng guāng dà zhōng huá yōu xiù chuán tǒng wén huà

We must carry forward and expand excellent traditional Chinese culture.
46 发抖 fā dǒu — to tremble HSK 7
- 发 to emit, to produce (the action)
- 抖 to shake, to tremble (the core action)
Example

他冷得发抖。

tā lěng de fā dǒu

He was so cold that he trembled.
47 发掘 fā jué — to excavate; to unearth; to discover HSK 7
- 发 to initiate; to bring forth
- 掘 to dig; to excavate
Example

考古学家在这里发掘了许多古代文物。

kǎo gǔ xué jiā zài zhè lǐ fā jué le xǔ duō gǔ dài wén wù

Archaeologists excavated many ancient artifacts here.
48 发泄 fā xiè — to vent HSK 7
- 发 to release, to send out
- 泄 to discharge, to let out
Example

不要对家人发泄你的愤怒。

bú yào duì jiā rén fā xiè nǐ de fèn nù

Don't vent your anger on family members.
49 发源 fā yuán — to originate HSK 7
- 发 to send forth, to emit
- 源 source, origin
Example

长江发源于青藏高原。

Cháng Jiāng fā yuán yú Qīng Zàng Gāo yuán

The Yangtze River originates from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
50 发源地 fā yuán dì — place of origin HSK 7
- 发 to originate, to start
- 源 source, origin
- 地 place, location
Example

黄河是中华文明的发源地。

Huáng Hé shì Zhōng huá wén míng de fā yuán dì

The Yellow River is the place of origin of Chinese civilization.
51 发火 fā huǒ — to get angry HSK 7
- 发 to emit, to express outwardly
- 火 anger, temper (metaphorically fire)
Example

妈妈对我发火了，因为我回家太晚了。

mā ma duì wǒ fā huǒ le yīn wèi wǒ huí jiā tài wǎn le

Mom got angry at me because I came home too late.
52 发热 fā rè — to have a fever; to generate heat HSK 7
- 发 to develop; to emit; to generate
- 热 heat; fever; hot
Example

他今天发热了，需要休息。

tā jīn tiān fā rè le xū yào xiū xi

He has a fever today and needs to rest.
53 发芽 fā yá — to sprout HSK 7
- 发 to emit, to develop
- 芽 sprout, bud
Example

春天来了，种子开始发芽。

chūn tiān lái le zhǒng zi kāi shǐ fā yá

Spring has come, the seeds are beginning to sprout.
54 发觉 fā jué — to discover; to realize HSK 7
- 发 to begin; to start (the process of becoming aware)
- 觉 to perceive; to sense; awareness
Example

我发觉他今天很不高兴。

wǒ fā jué tā jīn tiān hěn bù gāo xìng

I realized he was very unhappy today.
55 发言人 fā yán rén — spokesperson HSK 7
- 发 to express, to emit
- 言 speech, words
- 人 person
Example

外交部发言人在新闻发布会上讲话。

wài jiāo bù fā yán rén zài xīn wén fā bù huì shàng jiǎng huà

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson spoke at the press conference.
56 发誓 fā shì — to swear HSK 7
- 发 to emit, to express outwardly
- 誓 oath, vow
Example

我发誓再也不说谎了。

wǒ fā shì zài yě bù shuō huǎng le

I swear I'll never lie again.
57 发财 fā cái — to get rich HSK 7
- 发 to generate, to develop
- 财 wealth, riches
Example

祝你新年发财！

zhù nǐ xīn nián fā cái

Wishing you prosperity in the new year!
58 发酵 fā jiào — ferment HSK 7
- 发 to emit, to trigger (the process)
- 酵 yeast, fermentation
Example

面团需要发酵两个小时。

miàn tuán xū yào fā jiào liǎng gè xiǎo shí

The dough needs to ferment for two hours.
59 复发 fù fā — to relapse HSK 7
- 复 again, return
- 发 to break out, to occur
Example

他的病情复发了。

tā de bìng qíng fù fā le

His illness has relapsed.
60 容光焕发 róng guāng huàn fā — radiant; glowing with health HSK 7
- 容 face, countenance
- 光 light, radiance
- 焕 to shine brilliantly
- 发 to emit, to display
Example

休假回来后，他容光焕发。

xiū jià huí lái hòu tā róng guāng huàn fā

After returning from vacation, he was glowing with health.
61 并发症 bìng fā zhèng — complication HSK 7
- 并 concurrent, together
- 发 to develop, to occur
- 症 disease, medical condition
Example

手术后没有出现任何并发症。

shǒu shù hòu méi yǒu chū xiàn rèn hé bìng fā zhèng

No complications appeared after the surgery.
62 开发区 kāi fā qū — development zone HSK 7
- 开 open, start, initiate (development)
- 发 develop, expand, grow
- 区 zone, district, area
Example

这个经济开发区吸引了很多外资企业。

zhè ge jīng jì kāi fā qū xī yǐn le hěn duō wài zī qǐ yè

This economic development zone has attracted many foreign-funded enterprises.
63 开发商 kāi fā shāng — developer HSK 7
- 开 to open, to start (initiating development)
- 发 to develop, to expand (core development action)
- 商 merchant, business entity (commercial operator)
Example

开发商计划在这里建一座购物中心。

kāi fā shāng jì huà zài zhè lǐ jiàn yí zuò gòu wù zhōng xīn

The developer plans to build a shopping center here.
64 打发 dǎfa — send away; pass (time) HSK 7
- 打 to deal with; to handle
- 发 to dispatch; to send out
Example

我打发孩子去买东西。

wǒ dǎfa háizi qù mǎi dōngxi

I sent the child to buy things.
65 批发 pī fā — wholesale HSK 7
- 批 batch, lot, in large quantities
- 发 distribute, send out, dispatch
Example

我们只做批发，不做零售。

wǒ men zhǐ zuò pī fā bù zuò líng shòu

We only do wholesale, not retail.
66 揭发 jiē fā — expose HSK 7
- 揭 to uncover, to reveal
- 发 to send out, to make public
Example

他向警察揭发了公司的违法行为。

tā xiàng jǐng chá jiē fā le gōng sī de wéi fǎ xíng wéi

He reported the company's illegal activities to the police.
67 焕发 huàn fā — to radiate HSK 7
- 焕 radiant, bright (conveys brilliance)
- 发 emit, send out (conveys outward action)
Example

她焕发出青春的活力。

tā huàn fā chū qīng chūn de huó lì

She radiates youthful vitality.
68 自发 zì fā — spontaneous HSK 7
- 自 self, from oneself
- 发 emit, initiate, arise
Example

学生们自发组织了一个读书会。

xué shēng men zì fā zǔ zhī le yí gè dú shū huì

The students spontaneously organized a reading group.
69 萌发 méng fā — to sprout; to germinate; to emerge HSK 7
- 萌 to sprout; to bud
- 发 to develop; to emerge; to send forth
Example

春天到了，种子开始萌发。

chūn tiān dào le zhǒng zi kāi shǐ méng fā

Spring has arrived, and the seeds begin to sprout.
70 蒸发 zhēng fā — evaporate HSK 7
- 蒸 steam, vapor
- 发 emit, release
Example

水在高温下会蒸发。

shuǐ zài gāo wēn xià huì zhēng fā

Water evaporates at high temperatures.
71 诱发 yòu fā — to induce, to trigger HSK 7
- 诱 to entice, to lead to (causative aspect)
- 发 to trigger, to produce (emergence aspect)
Example

压力会诱发许多健康问题。

yā lì huì yòu fā xǔ duō jiàn kāng wèn tí

Stress can induce many health problems.
72 越发 yuè fā — increasingly, more and more, even more HSK 7
- 越 exceed, surpass, more
- 发 develop, become, manifest
Example

天气越发冷了。

tiān qì yuè fā lěng le

The weather is getting colder and colder.
73 迸发 bèng fā — burst out, erupt HSK 7
- 迸 burst, split open forcefully
- 发 emit, release outward
Example

她的创造力在那一刻迸发出来。

tā de chuàng zào lì zài nà yī kè bèng fā chū lái

Her creativity burst forth at that moment.
74 颁发 bān fā — to issue; to award HSK 7
- 颁 to promulgate; to distribute officially
- 发 to issue; to send out
Example

学校将在毕业典礼上颁发文凭。

xué xiào jiāng zài bì yè diǎn lǐ shàng bān fā wén píng

The school will issue diplomas at the graduation ceremony.

Structure & writing

1 发 fā — to send out; to dispatch (opposite of 收)

Xpinyin

发 is a component in 3 characters

HSK 4

泼 pō to splash or spill liquid forcefully

HSK 5

拨 bō to move (something) aside with hand, foot, or stick

HSK 7

废 fèi to discontinue; to stop using

发 is an atomic character — it does not decompose further.

Stroke order

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Meaning of 发

发 fā — to send; to issue; to emit; to develop; to occur