発明する

• Reading: はつめいする
• Romaji: hatsumei suru
• Kanji breakdown: 発 (hatsu/hana) — emit, bring forth; 明 (mei/aka) — bright, clear
• Pronunciation: /ha.tsɯ.meː.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To invent; to devise. Used for creating something entirely new that did not exist before.

A Group 3 (irregular) する verb formed from the noun 発明 (invention). Specifically refers to creating novel devices, methods, or concepts. The person who invents is 発明者 (hatsumeisha, inventor). Thomas Edison is famously associated with this word in Japanese education.

Examples

1. エジソンは電球を発明した人です。 Edison is the person who invented the light bulb.
2. 新しい技術が発明されて生活が便利になった。 New technology was invented and life became more convenient.
3. 子供のころ何かを発明したいと思っていました。 When I was a kid, I dreamed of inventing something.

Usage Guide

Context: science, history, technology

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 発 (hatsu/hana) meaning emit or bring forth and 明 (mei/aka) meaning bright or clear. Together they mean bringing forth something bright and new — creating an innovation.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal