発行

• Reading: はっこう
• Romaji: hakkou
• Kanji breakdown: 発 (hatsu) — emit, dispatch; 行 (kou) — go, carry out
• Pronunciation: /hak.koː/

Meaning

To issue; to publish. The act of officially producing and distributing documents, books, or other printed materials.

A noun that functions as a suru verb (発行する). Used for the official issuance of documents like passports, certificates, tickets, books, and magazines. Common compounds include 発行部数 (circulation number), 発行日 (publication date), 発行者 (publisher/issuer). More formal than 出す when referring to official documents.

Examples

1. 新しいパスポートを発行してもらった。 I had a new passport issued.
2. この雑誌は毎月一日に発行される。 This magazine is published on the first of every month.
3. 市役所でクレジットカードの証明書を発行した。 I had a credit card certificate issued at city hall.

Usage Guide

Context: publishing, administration, official documents

Tone: formal

Origin & History

Compound of 発 (hatsu, emit/dispatch) and 行 (kou, go/carry out). Together, 'sending something out into the world' — dispatching publications or documents for distribution.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal