发掘
fājué · HSK 7
unearth
⛏️ 发 = send out + 掘 = dig — send out a dig team to excavate
发 (fā) means to send forth or emit; 掘 (jué) means to dig. Together they form the act of sending effort into the ground — excavating, unearthing, or exploring what lies beneath the surface.
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.'