发明
fāmíng · HSK 3
invention
💡 发明 = 发 (issue/send out) + 明 (bright/clear) → bring something bright into the world
发 means to send out or issue; 明 means bright or clear (sun 日 + moon 月). Together they form invention — sending forth a bright new idea. Compare 发现 (discover) and 明白 (understand).
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.'