122
発
Departure, Start, Emit
JLPT N4
Interesting Fact
The original character 發 meant "to release an arrow." Ancient people pictured an arrow leaving the bow at high speed. Over time, that image of something suddenly moving outward expanded to include trains departing, rockets launching, electricity being generated, and even ideas being announced. Every word using 発 shares the same core idea: something begins by moving out from its source.
Memory Trick
🚀 Imagine a giant rocket on the launch pad. 3...2...1... Blast off! The moment it leaves the ground, its journey starts. 発 = Launch • Departure • Start
Readings
Onyomi: ハツ (hatsu), ホツ (hotsu)
Kunyomi:
Example Words
出発
しゅっぱつ (shuppatsu)
Departure
発見
はっけん (hakken)
Discovery
発音
はつおん (hatsuon)
Pronunciation
出発点
しゅっぱつてん (shuppatsuten)
Starting point
Example Sentence
電車は 九時に 出発します。
でんしゃは くじに しゅっぱつします。
densha wa kuji ni shuppatsu shimasu
The train departs at nine o'clock.