発注

• Reading: はっちゅう
• Romaji: hacchū
• Kanji breakdown: 発 (hatsu/ha) — dispatch, send; 注 (chū/soso) — pour, order
• Pronunciation: /hat.t͡ɕɯː/

Meaning

Placing an order; ordering goods or services; commissioning work from a supplier or contractor.

Used as a する-verb (発注する). Refers specifically to the formal business act of ordering goods or commissioning work, typically from a supplier, vendor, or contractor. Distinct from the more general 注文 (which includes everyday ordering at a restaurant); 発注 is reserved for procurement and business transactions. Common collocations include 発注書 (purchase order), 発注先 (supplier), and 発注量 (order volume).

Examples

1. 新しい設備の発注を先月に完了した。 We completed the order for the new equipment last month.
2. 取引先に部品を発注したが、納期が遅れている。 We placed an order for parts with our supplier, but the delivery has been delayed.
3. 発注から納品まで通常二週間かかる。 It usually takes two weeks from placing an order to receiving the delivery.

Usage Guide

Context: procurement, manufacturing, supply chain, business

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 発 (to dispatch, send out) and 注 (to pour, order). The combination conveys 'sending out an order' to a supplier.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Business professionals

Social background: Corporate