Meaning
激发 means to stimulate, arouse, or trigger something into action or existence. It describes the process of bringing forth emotions, potential, interest, or reactions that were previously dormant or latent. The word combines the sense of 'vigorous' or 'intense' (激) with 'to emit' or 'to develop' (发).
Usage
Commonly used in educational, psychological, and motivational contexts to describe inspiring people's potential, creativity, or enthusiasm. It's also used in scientific contexts to describe triggering reactions or processes. More formal than casual speech.
Examples
- 01好的老师能够激发学生的学习兴趣。.A good teacher can stimulate students' interest in learning.
- 02这次经历激发了他创业的想法。.This experience inspired his idea to start a business.
Characters
Common collocations
- 激发潜能to stimulate potential
- 激发兴趣to arouse interest
- 激发灵感to inspire creativity/inspiration
- 激发热情to arouse enthusiasm
Antonyms
Origin
The character 激 originally depicted turbulent water striking against rocks, conveying intensity and force. 发 means to send forth or develop. Together they suggest forcefully bringing something forth.