発射
Meaning in Englishfiring, shooting, discharge
Animated kanji stroke order
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)