发现

• Pinyin: fā xiàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 发 (fā) — to emit, bring forth; 现 (xiàn) — to appear, reveal

Meaning

To discover; to find out. To notice or learn something previously unknown.

Used both for significant discoveries (scientific findings) and everyday realisations (noticing something). Can function as a verb or a noun (a discovery).

Examples

1. 我发现了一家很好吃的餐厅。 I discovered a really delicious restaurant.
2. 科学家发现了一种新的植物。 Scientists discovered a new type of plant.
3. 她发现自己忘了带钥匙。 She realised she forgot to bring her keys.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday observations, science, realisations

Tone: observant

Do Say

• 我发现他今天没来上课。(I noticed he didn't come to class today.)
• 你发现什么了？(What did you discover?)

Don't Say

• 不要混淆'发现'和'发明' — 发现 means to discover something that already exists, while 发明 means to invent something new.

Origin & History

Compound of 发 (to emit, to bring forth) and 现 (to appear, to reveal). Literally 'to bring to appearance' — to uncover what was hidden.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal