发展

• Pinyin: fā zhǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 发 = simplified from 發, meaning to arise; 展 = 尸 (body) + components below, meaning to unfold or display

Meaning

To develop; development. Describes the process of growing, progressing, or expanding over time.

Extremely common in Chinese, used for economic development (经济发展), personal growth (个人发展), relationship development (感情发展), and urban expansion (城市发展). Can function as both a verb and a noun. A core word in news, politics, and business.

Examples

1. 中国的经济发展得非常快。 China's economy has developed very rapidly.
2. 这个城市这几年发展了很多。 This city has developed a lot in recent years.
3. 公司正在考虑未来的发展方向。 The company is considering the direction of future development.

Usage Guide

Context: economics, society, personal growth

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 科技的发展改变了我们的生活。(The development of technology has changed our lives.)
• 我们要发展新的业务。(We need to develop new business.)

Don't Say

• 我的身体发展了 (For physical growth, use 长高了 or 成长 — 发展 is for systems, economies, and abstract progress, not physical body changes)

Origin & History

Compound of 发 (to arise, emit) and 展 (to unfold, expand), meaning to unfold and grow — to develop progressively.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal