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发射 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
发射fāshèto shoot (a projectile)HSK 7, v, 15 strokes, rank #2339, Very Hard
发射fāshèto fire (a rocket)HSK 7, v, 15 strokes, rank #2339, Very Hard
发射fāshèto launchHSK 7, v, 15 strokes, rank #2339, Very Hard
发射fāshèto emit (a particle)HSK 7, v, 15 strokes, rank #2339, Very Hard
发射fāshèto dischargeHSK 7, v, 15 strokes, rank #2339, Very Hard
发射fāshèemanationHSK 7, v, 15 strokes, rank #2339, Very Hard
发射fāshèemissionHSK 7, v, 15 strokes, rank #2339, Very Hard
fāshè(fa1she4)fa she T1
  1. 1to shoot (a projectile)
  2. 2to fire (a rocket)
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March 24, 2026

发射(發射)fāshè(fa1she4)

发射 (fā shè) means to launch or emit something, often used in contexts like rockets or projectiles. It suggests the action of sending forth or discharging, typically in a controlled manner. Commonly, it's associated with technology, military operations, and scientific experiments.

Strokes15Frequency#2339DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In China, the concept of 发射 is particularly important in the context of the country's advancements in space exploration, including the launch of satellites and space missions. This reflects national pride and technological progress.

Memory tip

Imagine a rocket taking off into the sky, which sounds like 'fa' as it ignites and 'she' as it shoots upwards. The character 发 (fa) has a radical resembling a hand that is 'launching' something, while 射 (she) has a visual of something shooting forward.

Meanings of 发射

fāshè(fa1she4)
1to shoot (a projectile)
2to fire (a rocket)
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 发射

发射Simplified
發射Traditional
15Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2339Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2

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Podcast: 发射

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AI study notes for 发射

Quick Contrast

发射 (fāshè) vs 释放 (shìfàng): use 发射 when referring to a controlled launch (like a rocket), while 释放 is for releasing or letting go, often in a less controlled context.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 发射 with 发送 (fāng sòng), which means to send (messages or items). 发射 is generally used in more formal or technical contexts. Be cautious with the tones, as mispronouncing either can lead to misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 发射 connects to other advanced vocabulary related to science and technology, such as 卫星 (wèi xīng - satellite) or 电子 (diàn zǐ - electronic). Focus on using it in context with discussions about space and science.

Common Mistakes

Learners might confuse 发射 with 发放 (fā fàng), which means to distribute. For example, saying '发放火箭' (fā fàng huǒjiàn - distribute rockets) instead of '发射火箭' (fā shè huǒjiàn - launch rockets) is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 发射

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Component characters

发fāto send out
HSK 35 strokes又
View full entry
射shèto shoot, to eject, to emit
HSK 610 strokes寸
View full entry

How to say to shoot (a projectile) in Chinese

“to shoot (a projectile)” in Chinese is发射fāshè

发射 (fā shè) means to launch or emit something, often used in contexts like rockets or projectiles. It suggests the action of sending forth or discharging, typically in a controlled manner. Commonly, it's associated with technology, military operations, and scientific experiments.

When to use 发射

Learners often confuse 发射 with 发送 (fāng sòng), which means to send (messages or items). 发射 is generally used in more formal or technical contexts. Be cautious with the tones, as mispronouncing either can lead to misunderstandings.

发射 or something close to it

发射 (fāshè) vs 释放 (shìfàng): use 发射 when referring to a controlled launch (like a rocket), while 释放 is for releasing or letting go, often in a less controlled context.

What learners get wrong

Learners might confuse 发射 with 发放 (fā fàng), which means to distribute. For example, saying '发放火箭' (fā fàng huǒjiàn - distribute rockets) instead of '发射火箭' (fā shè huǒjiàn - launch rockets) is incorrect.

Write 发射

发
射

Practice writing 发射 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 发射

发射 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

他用微型声波____器开启了门。

He activated the door with the miniature sonic transmitter.

Example sentences for 发射 (16)

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1
他用微型声波发射器开启了门。

tā yòng wēixíng shēng Bō fāshè qì kāiqǐ le mén。

He activated the door with the miniature sonic transmitter.
2
3个人被从一辆面包车中发射的乱弹打死了。

3 gèrén bèi cóng yī liàng miànbāo chē zhōng fāshè de luàn dàn dǎ sǐ le。

Three people were killed by shots fired at random from a minibus.
3
今天一早,一枚“德尔塔”Ⅱ型火箭在卡纳维拉尔角发射升空。

jīntiān yìzǎo, yī méi“ dé ěr tǎ”Ⅱ xíng huǒjiàn zài kǎ nà wéi lā ěr jiǎo fāshè shēng kōng。

A Delta II rocket was launched from Cape Canaveral early this morning.
4
军队仍然控制着电视和广播发射塔。

jūnduì réngrán kòngzhì zhe diànshì hé guǎngbō fāshè tǎ。

Troops are still in control of the television and radio tower.
5
塞西尔此时开始慌张起来,连忙发射了两枚遇险信号火箭。

sāi xī ěr cǐshí kāishǐ huāngzhāng qǐlái, liánmáng fāshè le liǎng méi yùxiǎn xìnhào huǒjiàn。

Cecil now began to panic and fired off two distress rockets.
6
平壤于周五在其东海岸曾发射了一枚短程导弹.

píng rǎng yú zhōu wǔ zài qí dōng hǎi’àn céng fāshè le yī méi duǎn chéng dǎodàn.

On Friday, Pyongyang also fired a short - range missile off its east coast.
7
发射高爆弹的新型大炮在战场上得到了使用。

fāshè gāo bào dàn de xīnxíng dà bāo zài zhànchǎng shàng dédào le shǐyòng。

New guns firing high explosive shells were incorporated into the battlefield.
8
该卫星自从两年前发射以来一直没起作用。

gāi wèixīng zìcóng liǎng niánqián fāshè yǐlái yìzhí méi qǐ zuòyòng。

The satellite had been inactive since its launch two years ago.
9
离发射还有十分钟。

lí fāshè háiyǒu shífēn zhōng。

Ten minutes to lift-off.
10
直升机在离发射台一百米的上空盘旋.

zhíshēngjī zài lí fāshè tái yībǎi mǐ de shàngkōng pánxuán.

The helicopter was hovering about 100 metres above the pad.
11
科学家们计划在明年发射一颗新的卫星。

Kēxuéjiāmen jìhuà zài míngnián fāshè yī kē xīn de wèixīng.

The scientists plan to launch a new satellite next year.
12
火箭在倒数计时结束后成功发射。

Huǒjiàn zài dàoshǔ jìshí jiéshù hòu chénggōng fāshè.

The rocket was successfully launched after the countdown ended.
13
研究小组成功地发射了一枚实验性导弹以测试新技术。

Yánjiū xiǎozǔ chénggōng de fāshè le yī méi shíyànxìng dǎodàn yǐ cèshì xīn jìshù.

The research team successfully launched an experimental missile to test new technology.
14
航天局计划在明年发射一个新的探测器到火星。

Hángtiān jú jìhuà zài míngnián fāshè yī gè xīn de tàncèqì dào Huǒxīng.

The space agency plans to launch a new probe to Mars next year.
15
为了演习,海军在海上发射了多枚鱼雷。

Wèile yǎnxí, hǎijūn zài hǎishàng fāshè le duō méi yúléi.

For the exercise, the navy launched multiple torpedoes at sea.
16
科学家们正在研发一种可以精确发射微型卫星的装置。

Kēxuéjiāmen zhèngzài yánfā yī zhǒng kěyǐ jīngquè fāshè wēixíng wèixīng de zhuāngzhì.

Scientists are developing a device that can accurately launch mini-satellites.

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Frequently asked questions about 发射

It's primarily used in technical or formal discussions, not in casual conversations.

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