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发起 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
发起fāqǐto originateHSK 5, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #6926, Hard
发起fāqǐto initiateHSK 5, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #6926, Hard
发起fāqǐto launch (an attack, an initiative etc)HSK 5, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #6926, Hard
发起fāqǐto startHSK 5, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #6926, Hard
发起fāqǐto propose sth (for the first time)HSK 5, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #6926, Hard
fāqǐ(fa1qi3)fa qi T1
  1. 1to originate
  2. 2to initiate
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March 24, 2026

发起(發起)fāqǐ(fa1qi3)

发起 (fāqǐ) means to originate or initiate something, such as an event, project, or proposal. It is commonly used in contexts involving the launch of initiatives or actions, particularly in formal or organizational settings.

Strokes15Frequency#6926DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, initiating an event or proposal often involves the concept of collective action, reflecting the importance of community and group decision-making in many social contexts.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person taking the first step to '发 (fa)' a '起 (qi)' of a new project—like planting a seed that will grow into a big tree. The character '发' suggests starting something new, while '起' represents the action of rising or getting up.

Meanings of 发起

fāqǐ(fa1qi3)
1to originate
2to initiate
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About 发起

发起Simplified
發起Traditional
15Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1

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AI Study Notes for 发起

Quick Contrast

发起 (fāqǐ) vs 开始 (kāishǐ): Use 发起 when emphasizing the initiation of an organized effort or proposal, while 开始 is more general for starting any action.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 发起 with similar verbs like 开始 (kāishǐ), which means 'to start' in a more general sense. 发起 is more formal and often used in official contexts, such as business meetings or academic proposals.

HSK Study Tips

While 发起 is not an HSK word, it connects well with HSK Level 4 verbs like 开始 (kāishǐ) and 进行 (jìnxíng). Focus on understanding how 发起 is used in conjunction with nouns to indicate the specific initiative being launched.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 发起 with 开始 (kāishǐ), using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我发起了这件事' (Wǒ fāqǐle zhè jiàn shì) when referring to simply starting a task is incorrect; it should be '我开始了这件事' (Wǒ kāishǐle zhè jiàn shì).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 发起

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Component Characters

发fāto send out
HSK 35 strokes又
View full entry
起qǐto rise
HSK 310 strokes走
View full entry

How to say to originate in Chinese

“to originate” in Chinese is发起fāqǐ

发起 (fāqǐ) means to originate or initiate something, such as an event, project, or proposal. It is commonly used in contexts involving the launch of initiatives or actions, particularly in formal or organizational settings.

When to use 发起

Be cautious not to confuse 发起 with similar verbs like 开始 (kāishǐ), which means 'to start' in a more general sense. 发起 is more formal and often used in official contexts, such as business meetings or academic proposals.

发起 or something close to it

发起 (fāqǐ) vs 开始 (kāishǐ): Use 发起 when emphasizing the initiation of an organized effort or proposal, while 开始 is more general for starting any action.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes confuse 发起 with 开始 (kāishǐ), using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我发起了这件事' (Wǒ fāqǐle zhè jiàn shì) when referring to simply starting a task is incorrect; it should be '我开始了这件事' (Wǒ kāishǐle zhè jiàn shì).

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发
起

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Frequently Asked Questions about 发起

You can say '他发起了一个新项目' (Tā fāqǐle yīgè xīn xiàngmù) meaning 'He initiated a new project.'

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