问世

• Pinyin: wèn shì
• Hanzi breakdown: 问 = 口 + 门 (mouth at the door — making oneself known); 世 = three 十 stacked (ten × three = thirty years, a generation — the world)

Meaning

To come into the world; to be published, released, or unveiled for the first time. Used of notable books, products, technologies, or artworks making their debut.

Formal and literary. Implies the item is significant enough to 'meet the world.' Commonly used in journalism and academic writing to describe the launch of an important work, invention, or product. Slightly more elevated than 上市 (go on the market) or 发布 (release).

Examples

1. 这部历经十年打磨的长篇小说终于问世，首印十万册在一周内售罄。 This novel, refined over ten years, has finally been released; the first print run of 100,000 copies sold out within a week.
2. 新型疫苗的问世为全球公共卫生领域带来了前所未有的希望。 The arrival of a new vaccine brought unprecedented hope to global public health.
3. 自该技术问世以来，全球已有数十个国家将其应用于工业生产领域。 Since this technology debuted, dozens of countries around the world have applied it in industrial production.

Usage Guide

Context: publishing, technology, media

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这款智能手机一经问世便引发广泛关注，其创新设计和强大性能令业界刮目相看。(As soon as this smartphone came out, it attracted widespread attention — its innovative design and powerful performance surprised the entire industry.)
• 随着人工智能大模型相继问世，各行各业都在积极探索如何将其整合到日常工作流程中。(As large AI models have come into the world one after another, industries across the board are actively exploring how to integrate them into everyday workflows.)

Don't Say

• 我的报告已经问世了 — 问世 is reserved for significant published works, inventions, or products with broad public impact; for a routine report or document, use 提交 (submit) or 完成 (complete)

Origin & History

问 (to present oneself to; to inquire of) + 世 (the world) — making oneself known to the world

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal