発射
Meaning in Englishfiring, shooting, discharge
Animated kanji stroke order
Related sentences
Related sentences
There are no published items in this section yet.
Word context
What it means
発射 means the act of firing or launching a projectile, device, or signal; it denotes initiating energy release or propulsion, such as a missile, rocket, firearm, or other systems designed to emit or propel.
Main meanings
- Firing a weapon or launching a projectile in military or technical contexts
- Initiating the release or emission of something, including rockets, missiles, or instruments
- Metaphorically, the start or activation of a program, operation, or action
How to use it
Used in formal, technical, and news-language contexts to describe initiating propulsion or release, with 発射する as the verb form; common companions include 発射台 for the firing platform and 発射命令 for a launch order.
Variants and close terms
- 射出 — shashutsu — to eject/launch
- 発砲 — happou — firing a gun
- 開始 — kaishi — start, commence (conceptually related)
Composition
- 発: start, emit; indicates initiation or release
- 射: to shoot, project; indicates projection or aiming
Etymology
From 発 (hatsu) meaning to emit, start, depart + 射 (sha/i) meaning to shoot; combined sense of emitting a projectile or initiating propulsion.
Origin
Usage appears in classical and medieval Japanese with kanji compounds; its modern sense as firing or launching expands with firearms, artillery, and rocket technology.
Word class
Noun, verb (suru) (名詞, 動詞・する-動詞)