激发 (jīfā) — Stimulate, trigger, arouse

激发 (jīfā)

激发 means to stimulate or trigger something into action -- typically used for feelings, potential, interest, creativity, or reactions that are aroused by an external stimulus.

Meanings

1. [verb] to stimulate; to arouse; to trigger; to bring out; to activate

Example Sentences

这本书激发了他对科学的浓厚兴趣。 Zhè běn shū jīfāle tā duì kēxué de nóng hòu xìngqù. This book stimulated his strong interest in science.

老师的提问激发了学生们的思考和讨论热情。 Lǎoshī de tíwèn jīfāle xuéshēngmen de sīkǎo hé tǎolùn rèqíng. The teacher's questions aroused the students' enthusiasm for thinking and discussion.

艺术往往能激发人们对美的感知和情感共鸣。 Yìshù wǎngwǎng néng jīfā rénmen duì měi de gǎnzhī hé qínggǎn gòngmíng. Art often stimulates people's perception of beauty and emotional resonance.

这次竞赛激发了参赛者的创造力和团队合作精神。 Zhè cì jìngsài jīfāle cānsài zhě de chuàngzàolì hé tuánduì hézuò jīngshén. This competition stimulated participants' creativity and team spirit.

面对挑战，逆境往往能激发人内心深处的潜力。 Miànduì tiǎozhàn, nìjìng wǎngwǎng néng jīfā rén nèixīn shēnchù de qiánlì. When facing challenges, adversity often stimulates a person's deepest potential.

新的工作机会激发了她重新学习技能的动力。 Xīn de gōngzuò jīhuì jīfāle tā chóngxīn xuéxí jìnéng de dònglì. The new job opportunity triggered her motivation to relearn skills.

Collocations

Usage Notes

激发 and 激励 are related but distinct. 激励 focuses on motivating a person toward a goal (motivating someone to try harder), while 激发 focuses on triggering or arousing something latent -- a feeling, interest, or potential. The object of 激发 is typically an abstract quality or feeling (兴趣, 创造力, 热情), not directly a person.

激发 is widely used in education, psychology, and creative contexts to describe how stimuli bring out hidden capacities or feelings. The word 激 (stir up/excite) is shared with 激励, 激动, and 激烈, all carrying a sense of intense activation.

Memory Hook

激 = to stir up/excite, 发 = to send out/release -- stirring something up and releasing it -- stimulating and triggering something to come out.