发射

fāshè: 发射 - to launch, to shoot, to fire, to emit

Quick Summary

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  • Summary: Learn the versatile and powerful Chinese verb 发射 (fāshè), which means “to launch,” “to shoot,” or “to emit.” This comprehensive guide explains how to use 发射 for everything from launching rockets and satellites to firing weapons and transmitting signals. Discover practical example sentences, cultural significance in modern China, and common mistakes to avoid, making it an essential term for any Chinese learner.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): fāshè
  • Part of Speech: Verb
  • HSK Level: HSK 5
  • Concise Definition: To project, send out, or release something with force or energy.
  • In a Nutshell: 发射 (fāshè) is an action word centered on the idea of sending something out from a source with power. Think of it as the “go” button for things that are projected over a distance. Whether it's a rocket leaving the launchpad, a bullet leaving a gun, or a radio tower sending out a signal, 发射 captures that moment of powerful, directed release.

Character Breakdown

  • 发 (fā): This character means “to send out,” “to issue,” or “to emit.” Imagine it as the action of releasing something, like a bow releasing an arrow or a government issuing a command.
  • 射 (shè): This character's original form depicted a hand launching an arrow from a bow. Its core meaning is “to shoot,” “to fire,” or “to eject.”
  • Together, 发射 (fāshè) combines “to send out” (发) with “to shoot” (射), creating a strong and clear meaning: to send something out via a forceful, shooting, or projective action.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • While not a term rooted in ancient philosophy, 发射 (fāshè) holds immense significance in modern China's national identity and narrative. It is intrinsically linked to technological prowess, military modernization, and national pride.
  • The frequent use of 发射 in state media reports about space exploration (e.g., the Shenzhou spacecraft or Chang'e lunar missions) and military exercises serves to project an image of a strong, advanced, and self-reliant nation. Each rocket 发射 is not just a scientific achievement but a symbolic step in the “China Dream” (中国梦), representing the nation's rise on the global stage.
  • In the West, a space launch is often seen primarily as a scientific or commercial event. In China, it carries a much heavier weight of national rejuvenation and collective achievement. Understanding 发射 in this context helps you see how technology and language are used to shape and reflect a nation's aspirations.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • 发射 is a relatively formal and technical term used in specific contexts.
  • 1. Aerospace and Military: This is the most common usage, referring to the launching of vehicles or projectiles.
    • e.g., 发射火箭 (fāshè huǒjiàn) - to launch a rocket
    • e.g., 发射导弹 (fāshè dǎodàn) - to launch a missile
    • e.g., 发射卫星 (fāshè wèixīng) - to launch a satellite
  • 2. Weapons: It is used formally to describe the firing of weapons.
    • e.g., 发射子弹 (fāshè zǐdàn) - to fire a bullet
    • e.g., 发射炮弹 (fāshè pàodàn) - to fire an artillery shell
    • e.g., 发射鱼雷 (fāshè yúléi) - to launch a torpedo
  • 3. Science and Technology: This context involves the emission or transmission of energy, particles, or signals.
    • e.g., 发射信号 (fāshè xìnhào) - to transmit a signal
    • e.g., 发射无线电波 (fāshè wúxiàndiànbō) - to emit radio waves
    • e.g., 发射光和热 (fāshè guāng hé rè) - to emit light and heat

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 中国成功发射了“神舟”十七号载人飞船。
    • Pinyin: Zhōngguó chénggōng fāshè le “Shénzhōu” shíqī hào zài rén fēichuán.
    • English: China successfully launched the “Shenzhou-17” manned spacecraft.
    • Analysis: A very common and standard sentence you would read in news headlines about China's space program.
  • Example 2:
    • 军队在演习中发射了数枚导弹。
    • Pinyin: Jūnduì zài yǎnxí zhōng fāshè le shù méi dǎodàn.
    • English: The army fired several missiles during the exercise.
    • Analysis: This shows the military application of the word. Note the measure word for missiles is 枚 (méi).
  • Example 3:
    • 这个信号塔可以发射覆盖全城的5G信号。
    • Pinyin: Zhège xìnhàotǎ kěyǐ fāshè fùgài quán chéng de wǔ G xìnhào.
    • English: This signal tower can transmit a 5G signal that covers the entire city.
    • Analysis: Here, 发射 is used in a technological context for transmitting signals.
  • Example 4:
    • 太阳向地球发射光和热。
    • Pinyin: Tàiyáng xiàng dìqiú fāshè guāng hé rè.
    • English: The sun emits light and heat towards the Earth.
    • Analysis: A scientific usage describing natural phenomena. The structure 向 (xiàng) + [target] + 发射 is common.
  • Example 5:
    • 弓箭手瞄准目标，准备发射。
    • Pinyin: Gōngjiànshǒu miáozhǔn mùbiāo, zhǔnbèi fāshè.
    • English: The archer aimed at the target, preparing to shoot.
    • Analysis: Used for pre-modern projectiles like arrows. Here, 发射 is used without an object, meaning “to fire” or “to release.”
  • Example 6:
    • 倒计时结束，火箭准时发射升空。
    • Pinyin: Dàojìshí jiéshù, huǒjiàn zhǔnshí fāshè shēngkōng.
    • English: The countdown ended, and the rocket launched into the sky on time.
    • Analysis: This captures the dramatic moment of a launch. 升空 (shēngkōng) means “to rise into the air.”
  • Example 7:
    • 潜艇从水下发射了一枚鱼雷。
    • Pinyin: Qiántǐng cóng shuǐxià fāshè le yī méi yúléi.
    • English: The submarine launched a torpedo from underwater.
    • Analysis: Demonstrates its use in naval warfare contexts.
  • Example 8:
    • 卫星的发射窗口是什么时候？
    • Pinyin: Wèixīng de fāshè chuāngkǒu shì shénme shíhòu?
    • English: When is the satellite's launch window?
    • Analysis: Here, 发射 is used as a noun-modifier to describe the “launch window” (发射窗口).
  • Example 9:
    • 这枚洲际弹道导弹是从移动平台上发射的。
    • Pinyin: Zhè méi zhōujì dàndào dǎodàn shì cóng yídòng píngtái shàng fāshè de.
    • English: This intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from a mobile platform.
    • Analysis: A good example of the 是…的 (shì…de) structure used to emphasize details of a past action (in this case, where it was launched from).
  • Example 10:
    • 这种激光设备能发射高能光束。
    • Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng jīguāng shèbèi néng fāshè gāonéng guāngshù.
    • English: This laser device can emit a high-energy beam of light.
    • Analysis: A specific, technical example related to emitting energy.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • A major pitfall for English speakers is treating 发射 (fāshè) like the English word “launch,” which is much broader. 发射 is restricted to projectiles, rockets, and emissions.
  • Mistake 1: Launching a Product or Company
    • Incorrect: 苹果公司下周要发射新款iPhone。 (Apple will launch the new iPhone next week.)
    • Why it's wrong: 发射 implies forceful projection. Products are “released” or “published.”
    • Correct: 苹果公司下周要发布新款iPhone。 (fābù - to release/publish)
  • Mistake 2: Launching a Project or Campaign
    • Incorrect: 我们明天发射一个新的市场活动。 (We are launching a new marketing campaign tomorrow.)
    • Why it's wrong: A campaign is initiated or started, not shot like a rocket.
    • Correct: 我们明天启动一个新的市场活动。 (qǐdòng - to start up/initiate)
  • Mistake 3: Firing a Gun (Colloquially)
    • While technically correct to say 发射子弹 (fāshè zǐdàn - to fire a bullet), it's very formal. In everyday speech or movies, the common term is 开枪 (kāi qiāng - literally “open gun”).
    • Formal/Written: 士兵奉命发射子弹。(The soldier was ordered to fire a bullet.)
    • Colloquial/Spoken: 别动，不然我开枪了！(Don't move, or I'll shoot!)

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 发布 (fābù) - To release, publish (for products, news, information). This is the “launch” for non-projectiles.
  • 启动 (qǐdòng) - To start, initiate, launch (for projects, machines, campaigns).
  • 开枪 (kāi qiāng) - To fire a gun. A more common and specific synonym for shooting firearms.
  • 火箭 (huǒjiàn) - Rocket. A common object of the verb 发射.
  • 导弹 (dǎodàn) - Missile. Another common object of 发射.
  • 发射器 (fāshèqì) - Launcher, transmitter. The device or instrument that performs the action of 发射.
  • 投掷 (tóuzhì) - To throw, to hurl. Describes projection by human force (like a stone or spear), not by a mechanical or explosive device.
  • 喷射 (pēnshè) - To spray, to spurt, to jet. Similar to 发射 but used for liquids or gases under pressure (e.g., water from a firehose).
  • 辐射 (fúshè) - To radiate. Describes energy spreading out in all directions (like heat from a fire), whereas 发射 is typically more directional.