启发
qǐfā · HSK 5
enlighten
💡 启 = open + 发 = send out; opening the mind sends out new ideas
启 means to open or initiate (door radical 户 on top); 发 means to send out or emit. Together: open someone's thinking and send out insight — to enlighten or inspire.
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.'