Meaning of 发明
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to invent
- an invention
Measure word: 個|个
How to use 发明
发明 works as a verb (to invent) and as a noun (an invention). It is used for creating something that did not exist before, like a tool, a machine or a method. Example: 纸是中国人发明的。(Zhǐ shì Zhōngguó rén fāmíng de.) Paper was invented by the Chinese.
发 (fā) means to send out or produce, and 明 (míng) means bright or clear. To invent is to send out a bright new idea that makes something clear for the first time.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 发明 (fāmíng) with 发现 (fāxiàn). You 发明 something new that you create, but you 发现 something that already existed, like a planet or a fact. Also keep 明 in the second tone, not a neutral tone.
发明 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.
发 fā · to send out · 5 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
明 míng · bright · 8 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
Related words
Words that share a character with 发明.
| 明白 | míngbai | clear; obvious; unequivocal; sensible; reasonable |
| 明天 | míngtiān | tomorrow |
| 明年 | míngnián | next year |
| 发现 | fāxiàn | to notice; to become aware of; to discover; to find; to detect |
| 出发 | chūfā | to set off; to start (on a journey); (fig.) to proceed from (a particular standpoint or ba |
| 头发 | tóufa | hair (on the head) |
| 说明 | shuōmíng | to explain; to illustrate |
| 明星 | míngxīng | star; celebrity |
| 发生 | fāshēng | to happen; to occur; to take place; to arise (e.g. 發生問題|发生问题[fa1 sheng1 wen4 ti2] "a probl |
| 证明 | zhèngmíng | proof; certificate |
| 明显 | míngxiǎn | clear; distinct |
| 发展 | fāzhǎn | development; growth |
Questions about 发明
What does 发明 mean?
发明 (fāmíng) means "to invent; an invention" and is used as a verb and noun.
How do you write 发明?
发明 is made of 2 characters: 发 (5 strokes), 明 (8 strokes). That is 13 strokes in total.
Is 发明 an HSK word?
Yes. 发明 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 发明 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 发明 is written 發明.
How do I say "inventor" in Chinese?
Add 家 (jiā) to get 发明家 (fāmíngjiā), meaning inventor. For example, 爱迪生是一个有名的发明家。(Àidíshēng shì yí gè yǒumíng de fāmíngjiā.) Edison is a famous inventor.
Which measure word goes with 发明 as a noun?
Use 项 (xiàng) or 个 (gè). For example, 这是一项重要的发明。(Zhè shì yí xiàng zhòngyào de fāmíng.) This is an important invention. 项 sounds more formal, and 个 is fine in everyday speech.