发展 (fāzhǎn) — to develop, development

发展 (fāzhǎn)

发展 refers to development, growth, or advancement, implying movement toward a more complete, refined, or advanced state, and is one of the most widely used terms in Chinese discourse on progress.

Meanings

1. [verb] to develop, to grow, to advance, to expand
2. [noun] development, growth, progress

Example Sentences

中国经济在过去四十年里取得了举世瞩目的发展。 Zhōngguó jīngjì zài guòqù sìshí nián lǐ qǔdé le jǔshì zhǔmù de fāzhǎn. China's economy has achieved remarkable development in the past forty years.

教育的发展对一个国家的未来至关重要。 Jiàoyù de fāzhǎn duì yīgè guójiā de wèilái zhì guān zhòng yào. The development of education is of vital importance to a country's future.

这家公司正在积极发展海外市场。 Zhè jiā gōngsī zhèngzài jījí fāzhǎn hǎiwài shìchǎng. This company is actively developing overseas markets.

可持续发展是当今全球面临的共同课题。 Kě chíxù fāzhǎn shì dāngjīn quánqiú miànlín de gòngtóng kètí. Sustainable development is a common topic facing the entire world today.

他的职业发展受到了这次机会的重大影响。 Tā de zhíyè fāzhǎn shòudào le zhè cì jīhuì de zhòngdà yǐngxiǎng. His career development was significantly influenced by this opportunity.

科技的迅猛发展深刻改变了人类社会。 Kējì de xùnměng fāzhǎn shēnkè gǎibiàn le rénlèi shèhuì. The rapid development of technology has profoundly changed human society.

Collocations

Usage Notes

发展 is an extremely high-frequency word in Chinese, appearing in virtually every domain from politics to education to technology. At B2 level, learners should be aware that it can be used both as a verb (发展经济 -- to develop the economy) and as a noun (经济发展 -- economic development). The modifier 可持续 (sustainable) has become inseparable from 发展 in contemporary discourse.

发展 generally has a positive connotation, implying purposeful progress toward a better state, unlike the more neutral 变化 (change).

Memory Hook

发 means to send out or to start, and 展 means to spread out -- 发展 is like seeds sent out that spread and grow into something larger and more complete.