萌发
méng fā · HSK 7
to sprout
🌱 萌 (sprout/bud) + 发 (send out, emit) = a bud sends out new growth
萌 already means to bud or germinate; 发 means to emit or issue forth. Together 萌发 is the moment a seed pushes its first shoot out. méng fā: the 'f' in fā is the growth going forth.
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.'