发达
fādá · HSK 3
flourishing
🌱📈 发 (emit/develop) + 达 (reach/attain) = reach a developed state
发 means to send out or develop; 达 means to reach or arrive. Together: something has grown and reached prosperity. Used for developed countries (发达国家) or a flourishing economy.
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.'