Understanding "发明" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 发明
• Pinyin: fāmíng
• Literal Meaning: "发" (fā) means "to issue" or "to bring forth," and "明" (míng) means "bright" or "clear." Together, they suggest "bringing forth clarity" or "creating something new."
• Primary Meaning: "To invent" or "invention." It refers to the creation of something new, especially a device, method, or process that did not exist before.

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage:
• "发明" is used to describe the act of creating something original, often with practical or technological significance. It emphasizes innovation and novelty.
• It can be used as both a verb ("to invent") and a noun ("an invention").

• Common collocations: "发明家" (fāmíngjiā, inventor), "发明专利" (fāmíng zhuānlì, invention patent), "新发明" (xīn fāmíng, new invention).

• Character Breakdown:

• 发 (fā): Originally meant "to shoot" (e.g., an arrow), later extended to mean "to issue," "to emit," or "to bring forth."
• 明 (míng): Means "bright," "clear," or "to understand." Here, it implies making something clear or bringing it to light.

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 爱迪生发明了电灯。
   Pinyin: Àidíshēng fāmíngle diàndēng.
   English: Edison invented the electric light bulb.

2. Chinese: 这项发明改变了世界。
   Pinyin: Zhè xiàng fāmíng gǎibiànle shìjiè.
   English: This invention changed the world.

3. Chinese: 他们正在研究新的发明。
   Pinyin: Tāmen zhèngzài yánjiū xīn de fāmíng.
   English: They are researching a new invention.

Cultural Notes

• China has a long history of significant inventions, such as paper, gunpowder, the compass, and printing (collectively called the "Four Great Inventions"). These are often referenced with pride in discussions about "发明."
• Modern China emphasizes technological innovation, and "发明" is frequently used in contexts like scientific research, patents, and industrial development.

Conclusion

"发明" (fāmíng) is a versatile word meaning "to invent" or "invention," highlighting creativity and technological progress. Remember it by breaking it down: "发" (bring forth) + "明" (clarity) = bringing something new into existence. Use it to talk about groundbreaking creations, from ancient tools to modern tech!