发

發
fā
HSK 4
#47 most
frequent character
to send out, to show (one's feeling)
verb
Measure Word

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

发 is a shortened form of 發, which first meant 'to shoot an arrow': a bow 弓 with a hand and weapon 殳. The modern 又 keeps the hand as a meaning part. The reading fà 'hair' was borrowed for sound.

Drawn as: bow; hand holding weapon; movement

发 as a component in other characters

meaning1 character
泼
sound5 characters
废拨泼酦袯

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Example Sentences

我今天发了一个短信。
wǒ jīntiān fā le yígè duǎnxìn 。
I sent a text message today.
他发了很多照片到社交媒体上。
tā fā le hěnduō zhàopiān dào shèjiāo méitǐ shàng 。
He posted many photos on social media.
这本书发出了很多新的观点。
zhè běn shū fāchū le hěnduō xīnde guāndiǎn 。
This book presents many new perspectives.

Same Characters, Different Readings

发fà
hair, Taiwan pr. [fa3]

Words with similar meanings

发送fāsòng
to send
A more formal term for sending something, often used in written contexts.
展现zhǎnxiàn
to display
Focuses on showing qualities or emotions rather than just sending out.

Words Starting With 发

发烧fā shāo
have a high temperature (from illness); have a fever
发现fā xiàn
to find; to discover
发展fā zhǎn
development; growth; to develop; to grow; to expand
发生fā shēng
to happen; to occur; to take place; to break out
发愁fā chóu
to worry; to fret; to be anxious; to become sad

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Public Lists with 发

Communication
Talking, calling, emails, letters, expressions for clarity and tone.
Basic Verbs
Core action verbs like 'go,' 'come,' 'eat,' 'see,' commonly encountered in HSK.
HSK 4
All words for the HSK 4 test
Internet & Social Media
Online networks, chat apps, posting, comments, followers, and trends.