活発
かっぱつ · kappatsu · JLPT N1 · na-adj
active
活 = alive + 発 = set off or burst out: kappatsu means full of life and on the move
活 (katsu) means alive or living, and 発 (hatsu) means launch or emit. Joined, they describe life that is actively set off, so the word means lively, vigorous, or active.
活 — water radical 氵 + tongue 舌
Originally a phono-semantic compound: 氵 (water) suggests flowing or liveliness, while 舌 (tongue) hints at the sound. Early forms depicted gushing water, conveying the idea of being lively or alive. The meaning broadened from 'flowing water' to 'living, alive, active.'