出发 meaning in English
to set off; to start (on a journey); (fig.) to proceed from (a particular standpoint or basis)
Meaning of 出发
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to set off; to start (on a journey)
- (fig.) to proceed from (a particular standpoint or basis)
How to use 出发
出发 is used for leaving on a journey, often with a time or place before it: 从北京出发 (from Beijing). It can also mean to start from a point of view, as in 从实际出发 (cóng shíjì chūfā, to start from reality). Example: 我们明天早上八点出发。(Wǒmen míngtiān zǎoshang bā diǎn chūfā.) We are setting off at eight tomorrow morning.
出 (chū) means to go out, and 发 (fā) means to send off or start. Put them together and you go out and get started, which is to set off on a trip.
Common mistake: Learners often put the destination right after 出发, as in 出发北京. Say 去北京 or 出发去北京 (chūfā qù Běijīng) instead, and use 从 for the starting point: 从上海出发.
出发 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
出 chū · to go out · 5 strokes
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发 fā · to send out · 5 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 出发.
| 出来 | chūlái | to come out; to appear |
| 出去 | chūqù | to go out |
| 发现 | fāxiàn | to notice; to become aware of; to discover; to find; to detect |
| 出现 | chūxiàn | to appear; to arise; to emerge; to show up |
| 头发 | tóufa | hair (on the head) |
| 出生 | chūshēng | to be born |
| 提出 | tíchū | to raise (an issue); to propose |
| 找出 | zhǎochū | to find; to search out |
| 出口 | chūkǒu | an exit; to speak |
| 拿出 | náchū | to take out; to put out |
| 出门 | chūmén | to go out; to leave home |
| 出租车 | chūzūchē | taxi; (Tw) rental car |
Questions about 出发
What does 出发 mean?
出发 (chūfā) means "to set off; to start (on a journey); (fig.) to proceed from (a particular standpoint or basis)" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 出发?
出发 is made of 2 characters: 出 (5 strokes), 发 (5 strokes). That is 10 strokes in total.
Is 出发 an HSK word?
Yes. 出发 is on the HSK 2 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 出发 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 出发 is written 出發.
What is the difference between 出发 and 离开?
出发 (chūfā) focuses on starting a journey. 离开 (líkāi) means to leave a place or person and takes a direct object, as in 离开家 (líkāi jiā, to leave home).
Is the 发 in 出发 the same as the 发 in 头发?
They look the same in simplified Chinese, but the tone differs. In 出发 it is fā with first tone, while in 头发 (tóufa) it is neutral tone and comes from a different traditional character, 髮.