发誓
fā shì · HSK 7
to swear
🤞 fā shì = emit + oath — you launch a solemn promise into the world
发 (fā) means to emit or send out; 誓 (shì) means oath. Together: sending out an oath, i.e. making a vow. Think of it as releasing your sworn word so it becomes binding.
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.'