Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
萌发 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
萌发méngfāto sproutHSK 7, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #45734, Very Hard
萌发méngfāto shootHSK 7, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #45734, Very Hard
萌发méngfāto budHSK 7, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #45734, Very Hard
méngfā(meng2fa1)meng fa T2
  1. 1to sprout
  2. 2to shoot
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

萌发(萌發)méngfā(meng2fa1)

萌发 refers to the process of sprouting or budding, often used in the context of plants and growth. It can also metaphorically describe the emergence of ideas or emotions, indicating a beginning or initial stage of development.

Strokes16Frequency#45734DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of growth is often linked to renewal and hope, especially in spring when plants start to sprout. The usage of 萌发 can reflect a positive change or new beginnings in personal or social contexts.

Memory tip

Think of 萌发 as a cute little sprout (萌) bursting forth (发) from the ground. The radical '艹' (grass) at the top hints at its connection to plants, while the '发' component suggests something growing or emerging.

Meanings of 萌发

méngfā(meng2fa1)
1to sprout
2to shoot
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 萌发 means.

About 萌发

萌发Simplified
萌發Traditional
16Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 萌发

JasonAmy

Podcast: 萌发

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 萌发

Quick Contrast

萌芽 (méngyá) - use 萌发 for the action of sprouting, while 萌芽 emphasizes the initial stage or emergence of growth.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 萌发 with similar terms like 生长 (shēngzhǎng), which means 'to grow' but implies a later stage. This word is more commonly used in informal contexts, such as describing new ideas or feelings, rather than in formal writing.

HSK Study Tips

Although not officially an HSK word, 萌发 connects well with other HSK vocabulary related to growth and development, such as 生 (shēng) and 发 (fā). Students should focus on recognizing its usage in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 萌发 by pairing it with incorrect subjects, such as saying '萌发一个计划' instead of '萌发一个想法' (to sprout an idea). Ensure you use it with contexts that imply new beginnings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 萌发

Premium — Locked

Tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 萌发, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsPitch drawing+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 萌发 to you

Let me explain 萌发 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 萌发 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

How well do you know 萌发?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 萌发 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Component characters

萌méngto sprout
11 strokes艹
View full entry
发fāto send out
HSK 35 strokes又
View full entry

How to say to sprout in Chinese

“to sprout” in Chinese is萌发méngfā

萌发 refers to the process of sprouting or budding, often used in the context of plants and growth. It can also metaphorically describe the emergence of ideas or emotions, indicating a beginning or initial stage of development.

When to use 萌发

Be careful not to confuse 萌发 with similar terms like 生长 (shēngzhǎng), which means 'to grow' but implies a later stage. This word is more commonly used in informal contexts, such as describing new ideas or feelings, rather than in formal writing.

萌发 or something close to it

萌芽 (méngyá) - use 萌发 for the action of sprouting, while 萌芽 emphasizes the initial stage or emergence of growth.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 萌发 by pairing it with incorrect subjects, such as saying '萌发一个计划' instead of '萌发一个想法' (to sprout an idea). Ensure you use it with contexts that imply new beginnings.

Write 萌发

萌
发

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 萌发?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

Frequently asked questions about 萌发

Yes, 萌发 can also refer to the budding of ideas or feelings, making it versatile in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 萌发?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab