Chinese Grammar Reference logo

    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'to send' or 'to issue' with 发 (fā)

    Actions & Events

    Structure

    Subject + 发 + Object

    Explanation

    发 (fā) is a versatile verb meaning "to send," "to issue," or "to emit." It appears in many common expressions such as 发消息 (send a message), 发工资 (issue wages), and 发言 (to speak). Context determines its specific meaning in a sentence.

    Examples

    • 你能帮我发一条消息给李老师吗？

      Nǐ néng bāng wǒ fā yì tiáo xiāoxī gěi Lǐ lǎoshī ma?

      Can you help me send a message to Teacher Li?

    • 公司每个月十五号发工资。

      Gōngsī měi ge yuè shíwǔ hào fā gōngzī.

      The company pays salaries on the fifteenth of every month.

    • 我刚才发了一封邮件给你，你收到了吗？

      Wǒ gāngcái fā le yì fēng yóujiàn gěi nǐ, nǐ shōudào le ma?

      I just sent you an email; did you receive it?

    Expressing 'to send' or 'to issue' with 发 (fā) | Chinese Grammar