发现
fāxiàn · HSK 2
find
🔍 发 (issue/emit) + 现 (appear) = bring into view → discover
发 means to send out or emit; 现 means to appear or manifest (the 王 jade radical + 见 see). Together: what was hidden is sent forth into view — to find or discover something.
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.'