発明

• Reading: はつめい
• Romaji: hatsumei
• Kanji breakdown: 発 (hatsu) — emit, reveal, departure; 明 (mei) — bright, clear
• Pronunciation: /ha.tsɯ.meː/

Meaning

Invention; the creation of a new device, method, or process that did not previously exist.

Used both as a noun and as a する-verb (発明する). Unlike 発見 (discovery of something existing), 発明 refers to creating something entirely new. Often associated with famous inventors and technological breakthroughs. Common collocations include 発明家 (inventor) and 発明品 (invented product).

Examples

1. エジソンは電球を発明した人として有名だ。 Edison is famous as the person who invented the light bulb.
2. この発明は人々の生活を大きく変えた。 This invention dramatically changed people's lives.
3. 子どものころから発明が好きだった。 I've loved inventing things ever since I was a kid.

Usage Guide

Context: science, technology, history

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 発 (emit, reveal, departure) and 明 (bright, clear). The original sense was to bring something to light or clarity, which evolved to mean creating something new.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal