出发

出发 means 'to set out' or 'to depart,' often used to describe the act of beginning a journey, whether physical or metaphorical. It emphasizes the initial step of leaving a place or starting a process.

The character 出 (chū) means 'to go out' or 'to exit,' while 发 (fā) originally meant 'to emit' or 'to start.' Together, they form a compound that conveys the idea of initiating movement or action, making it suitable for both literal and figurative contexts.

出发 is commonly used in daily conversations when talking about traveling, starting a project, or taking the first step toward a goal. It carries a sense of purpose and forward motion, and is often paired with time expressions like 'now' or 'soon' to indicate immediacy.