fāxíng: 发行 - To Issue, Publish, Release, Distribute

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Summary: Learn the essential Chinese verb 发行 (fāxíng), which means “to issue,” “publish,” or “release.” This formal term is crucial for understanding contexts related to business, media, and finance, such as the publication of a book, the release of a movie, or the issuance of currency and stocks. This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical use with clear examples.

Pinyin (with tone marks): fāxíng

Part of Speech: Verb

HSK Level: HSK 5

Concise Definition: To formally issue, publish, release, or distribute something for public circulation.

In a Nutshell: 发行 (fāxíng) is the official act of making something available to the public. It's not just “giving something out”; it carries a sense of formality and scale. Think of a publisher 发行 a new book, a film studio 发行 a blockbuster movie, or a central bank 发行 new banknotes. It's the moment something goes from private creation to public consumption.

发 (fā): The core meaning of 发 is “to send out,” “to issue,” or “to dispatch.” Picture an archer sending an arrow (发射 fāshè) or a company sending out goods (发货 fāhuò). It implies an action originating from a central point and moving outward.

行 (xíng): The character 行 means “to go,” “to walk,” or “to circulate.” Its original form was a pictogram of a crossroads, representing movement and travel. In this context, it carries the meaning of circulation among the public.

When combined, 发行 (fāxíng) literally means “to send out for circulation.” This beautifully captures the full process: an official entity (like a publisher or bank) sends something out (发) so that it can travel and circulate (行) throughout society.

发行 (fāxíng) often implies a level of official sanction or approval that might be absent in its English counterparts like “release” or “launch.” In China, the publication of books, the screening of films, and the issuance of currency are all processes overseen by specific authorities. Therefore, the act of 发行 carries the weight of having passed through a formal system.

Comparison to “Release/Publish”: In the West, an indie artist might “release” a song on SoundCloud, or an author might self-“publish” a book on Amazon. While you could technically describe these actions using 发行, the term is more naturally suited for a major record label officially releasing an album or a traditional publishing house printing and distributing a novel. 发行 implies a larger, more structured distribution network and often a commercial or governmental purpose. It's less about a simple upload and more about a coordinated, official rollout.

发行 is a formal and standard term used frequently in news, business, and official announcements.

Finance and Economics: It is the standard verb