发起 (fā qǐ) — Chinese Word

verb HSK 5

Traditional 發起

fā qǐ

to initiate · to launch · to start · to sponsor

Meaning

发起 means to begin or initiate something, especially a formal activity, campaign, movement, or organization. It emphasizes being the originator or sponsor of an action that involves others, such as launching a project, starting a movement, or organizing an event.

Usage

发起 is used in relatively formal contexts when someone takes the lead in starting a collective activity or initiative. It's commonly used with campaigns, movements, activities, attacks, or organizations. The person or entity that 发起s something is called the 发起人 (fāqǐrén, initiator/sponsor).

Examples

01
她发起了一个环保组织，呼吁大家保护环境。
Tā fā qǐ le yī gè huán bǎo zǔ zhī, hū yù dà jiā bǎo hù huán jìng.
She initiated an environmental organization, calling on everyone to protect the environment.
02
公司发起了一项新的慈善活动，帮助贫困地区的儿童。
Gōng sī fā qǐ le yī xiàng xīn de cí shàn huó dòng, bāng zhù pín kùn dì qū de ér tóng.
The company launched a new charitable campaign to help children in impoverished areas.

Characters

Common collocations

发起运动
fā qǐ yùn dòng
to launch a movement
发起攻击
fā qǐ gōng jī
to launch an attack
发起倡议
fā qǐ chàng yì
to initiate a proposal
发起活动
fā qǐ huó dòng
to organize an activity

Antonyms

Origin

发 originally meant 'to shoot an arrow' and evolved to mean 'to send forth' or 'to start.' Combined with 起 (to rise), 发起 literally suggests 'to send forth and raise up,' capturing the sense of launching or initiating something new.