发展
fāzhǎn · HSK 3
develop
🌱📈 发 (issue/send out) + 展 (unfold/spread) = send forth and unfold = develop
发 carries the sense of issuing or launching; 展 means to unfold or stretch out (as in 展开). Together they describe something being launched and then unfolding outward — growth, expansion, development.
发 — simplified form of 發; from 癶 (two feet) + 弓 (bow) + 殳 (weapon)
The traditional form 發 depicted shooting an arrow from a bow, with 癶 showing outstretched feet and 弓 the bow, giving the core sense of 'send out, discharge.' From this came extended meanings like 'issue, emit, develop.' The modern simplified 发 also absorbed 髮 (hair), so it now covers both 'to send out' and 'hair.'