发 (fā) — to send / emit / issue

发 (fā)

发 is a high-frequency multi-meaning verb. Its core idea is sending out or giving off something, whether that is a message, heat, light, or growth. Note: as fà it means hair, but at HSK 3 the fā reading is primary.

Meanings

1. [verb] To send; to dispatch (a message, email, parcel).
2. [verb] To emit; to give off (heat, light, sound).
3. [verb] To issue; to hand out (documents, certificates).

Example Sentences

我给你发一条消息。 Wǒ gěi nǐ fā yī tiáo xiāoxi. I will send you a message.

太阳发出强烈的光。 Tàiyáng fāchū qiángliè de guāng. The sun emits intense light.

学校给每个学生发了一本书。 Xuéxiào gěi měi gè xuéshēng fā le yī běn shū. The school issued each student a book.

他发烧了，要休息。 Tā fā shāo le, yào xiūxi. He has a fever and needs to rest.

Collocations

Memory Hook

Picture a post office worker (发) dispatching letters in every direction: sending messages, issuing stamps, and watching heat pour from the radiator. Everything goes outward from one source.