发言
fāyán · HSK 3
to make a speech; statement
🗣️ 发 (issue/send out) + 言 (words) = issue words → speak publicly
发 means to send out or issue; 言 means words or speech. Together: to send out words, i.e. give a speech or make a public statement. Common in formal contexts like 发言人 (spokesperson).
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.'