发行

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

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: 发行, fāxíng, fa xing, Chinese word for issue, Chinese word for publish, meaning of 发行, how to use 发行, fāxíng vs fābù, issue stock in Chinese, release a movie in Chinese, publish a book in Chinese, Chinese HSK 5 verb
  • Summary: Learn the essential Chinese verb 发行 (fāxíng), which means “to issue,” “publish,” or “release.” This page provides a deep dive into its use in contexts like finance (issuing stock), media (releasing movies and music), and publishing (distributing books). Understand the crucial differences between 发行 (fāxíng), 发布 (fābù), and 出版 (chūbǎn) with clear examples and cultural insights for beginner and intermediate learners.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): fāxíng
  • Part of Speech: Verb
  • HSK Level: HSK 5
  • Concise Definition: To formally issue, publish, or distribute something for public circulation.
  • In a Nutshell: 发行 (fāxíng) is the official “launch” of a product into the public sphere. It's the moment a movie hits theaters, a book lands on shelves, a new currency enters circulation, or a company's stock is offered to investors. The core idea is moving a finished product from its creator to the public, usually on a large scale.

Character Breakdown

  • 发 (fā): This character means “to send out,” “to issue,” or “to develop.” It contains the idea of an outward action or emission, like sending a letter (发送 fāsòng) or discovering something (发现 fāxiàn).
  • 行 (xíng): This character means “to go,” “to walk,” or “to carry out.” It implies movement, circulation, and action.
  • When combined, 发行 (fāxíng) literally translates to “sending out for circulation.” This captures the essence of distributing a product widely so that it can “move” through society and the market.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • In modern China, 发行 (fāxíng) often carries a weight of formality and officiality that the English word “release” might not. For major media and financial products, the act of “发行” is not a simple flip of a switch; it's the final step in a regulated process.
  • Comparison to “Release” in the West: An independent artist in the US might “release” a song on SoundCloud with a single click. While you could technically describe this with a related word like 推出 (tuīchū), using 发行 (fāxíng) implies a more structured, commercial distribution through official channels. For movies, books, and games in China, 发行 requires obtaining official approval and licenses (like a book's ISBN or a film's screening permit), reflecting a state-supervised media and economic landscape.
  • This term is not about deep philosophical values but rather highlights the structured and often centralized nature of commerce and media in contemporary China. The decision to 发行 something is a significant business and sometimes political act.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • 发行 (fāxíng) is a formal and standard term used across several key industries. You will see it constantly in news, business reports, and official announcements.
  • Media and Entertainment: This is one of the most common contexts.
    • 发行电影 (fāxíng diànyǐng): To release/distribute a film.
    • 发行专辑 (fāxíng zhuānjí): To release a music album.
    • 发行游戏 (fāxíng yóuxì): To publish a video game.
  • Finance and Economics: The term is crucial for financial activities.
    • 发行股票 (fāxíng gǔpiào): To issue stocks (e.g., during an IPO).
    • 发行债券 (fāxíng zhàiquàn): To issue bonds.
    • 发行货币 (fāxíng huòbì): To issue currency (done by a central bank).
  • Publishing: It refers to the distribution of print media.
    • 发行书籍 (fāxíng shūjí): To publish/distribute a book.
    • 发行杂志 (fāxíng zázhì): To publish/distribute a magazine.
    • 全国发行 (quánguó fāxíng): Nationwide distribution.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 电影公司计划下个月在亚洲发行这部新电影。
    • Pinyin: Diànyǐng gōngsī jìhuà xià ge yuè zài Yàzhōu fāxíng zhè bù xīn diànyǐng.
    • English: The film company plans to release this new movie in Asia next month.
    • Analysis: A classic example of 发行 used for releasing a film in a specific market.
  • Example 2:
    • 他的第一本小说去年发行后，立刻成为了畅销书。
    • Pinyin: Tā de dì-yī běn xiǎoshuō qùnián fāxíng hòu, lìkè chéngwéi le chàngxiāoshū.
    • English: After his first novel was published last year, it immediately became a bestseller.
    • Analysis: Here, 发行 refers to the publication and distribution of a book.
  • Example 3:
    • 为了筹集资金，公司决定发行一百万股新股票。
    • Pinyin: Wèile chóují zījīn, gōngsī juédìng fāxíng yī bǎi wàn gǔ xīn gǔpiào.
    • English: To raise capital, the company decided to issue one million new shares of stock.
    • Analysis: This sentence demonstrates the core financial usage of 发行 for issuing securities.
  • Example 4:
    • 中国人民银行负责发行人民币。
    • Pinyin: Zhōngguó Rénmín Yínháng fùzé fāxíng Rénmínbì.
    • English: The People's Bank of China is responsible for issuing the Renminbi.
    • Analysis: This shows the official, governmental use of the term for currency.
  • Example 5:
    • 这位歌手的最新数字专辑将在全球同步发行。
    • Pinyin: Zhè wèi gēshǒu de zuìxīn shùzì zhuānjí jiāng zài quánqiú tóngbù fāxíng.
    • English: This singer's latest digital album will be released simultaneously worldwide.
    • Analysis: 发行 is perfectly suitable for digital products like music albums, not just physical ones.
  • Example 6:
    • 邮政局刚刚发行了一套以长城为主题的纪念邮票。
    • Pinyin: Yóuzhèngjú gānggāng fāxíng le yī tào yǐ Chángchéng wéi zhǔtí de jìniàn yóupiào.
    • English: The post office just issued a set of commemorative stamps with the Great Wall as the theme.
    • Analysis: The term applies to other official items like stamps.
  • Example 7:
    • 这本杂志每月发行超过五十万册。
    • Pinyin: Zhè běn zázhì měi yuè fāxíng chāoguò wǔshí wàn cè.
    • English: This magazine distributes over 500,000 copies each month.
    • Analysis: Here, 发行 describes the ongoing act of distribution and circulation volume.
  • Example 8:
    • 这款游戏什么时候发行？我等不及了！
    • Pinyin: Zhè kuǎn yóuxì shénme shíhou fāxíng? Wǒ děng bù jí le!
    • English: When is this game being released? I can't wait!
    • Analysis: A common, practical question a consumer might ask.
  • Example 9:
    • 政府宣布将发行新一批国债以支持基础设施建设。
    • Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ xuānbù jiāng fāxíng xīn yī pī guózhài yǐ zhīchí jīchǔ shèshī jiànshè.
    • English: The government announced it will issue a new batch of national bonds to support infrastructure construction.
    • Analysis: Another example of government-level financial use.
  • Example 10:
    • 我们是这本书在中国的独家发行方。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen shì zhè běn shū zài Zhōngguó de dújiā fāxíngfāng.
    • English: We are the exclusive distributor for this book in China.
    • Analysis: Shows how 发行 can be part of a compound noun, 发行方 (fāxíngfāng), meaning “distributor” or “issuer.”

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • The most common point of confusion for learners is distinguishing 发行 (fāxíng) from 发布 (fābù) and 出版 (chūbǎn).
  • 发行 (fāxíng) vs. 发布 (fābù):
    • 发行 (fāxíng) is for products & commodities (books, stocks, movies, currency). It's about distribution and circulation in a market.
    • 发布 (fābù) is for information & announcements (news, statements, data, policies). It's about making information public.
    • Common Mistake: Saying “公司发行了一份声明” (Gōngsī fāxíngle yī fèn shēngmíng).
    • Why it's wrong: A statement (声明) is information, not a commercial product for distribution.
    • Correct: 公司发布了一份声明。(Gōngsī fābùle yī fèn shēngmíng.) - The company released/issued a statement.
  • 发行 (fāxíng) vs. 出版 (chūbǎn):
    • 出版 (chūbǎn) specifically means “to publish” and refers to the entire process of preparing print media (books, magazines) for sale, including editing, printing, and getting an ISBN.
    • 发行 (fāxíng) is technically the distribution step that happens after a book is published. A publishing house (出版社 chūbǎnshè) will 出版 a book, and then a distributor (发行商 fāxíngshāng) will 发行 it.
    • In practice: For learners, when talking about a book being “out,” the two are often used interchangeably. Both “这本书什么时候发行？” and “这本书什么时候出版？” are understood as “When is this book coming out?”

Related Terms and Concepts

  • * 发布 (fābù) - To announce, to release (information). The counterpart to `发行`, used for news, data, and announcements rather than commercial products.
  • * 出版 (chūbǎn) - To publish. The specific process of producing books and print media. It is the step before or encompassing `发行`.
  • * 上市 (shàngshì) - To go on the market; to be listed (on a stock exchange). More specific than `发行股票`, it refers to the moment a company's stock becomes publicly tradable.
  • * 推出 (tuīchū) - To launch, roll out, or introduce (a new product/service). A broader, more marketing-focused term. You can `推出` a new feature, a new menu item, or a new plan.
  • * 发行商 (fāxíngshāng) - Distributor, publisher. The company or entity responsible for the act of `发行`.
  • * 首发 (shǒufā) - Premiere, first release, initial launch. A compound of `首` (first) and `发` (from `发行`).
  • * 分发 (fēnfā) - To distribute, to hand out. A more general and often less formal term. You would `分发` flyers or free samples, but `发行` a national magazine.
  • * 刊登 (kāndēng) - To publish (in a periodical). Refers to publishing a specific article, story, or advertisement within a newspaper or magazine.