Kilo Lingo

(fā xiàn) - to discover, to find in Mandarin

xiàn

Traditional: 發現

Line drawing of 发现
Coloured illustration of 发现
HSK 3
#234 of 5,000 Core 1000

Translation

to discover, to find

Word origin

A compound of 发 (fa) 'to send out, to bring to light' and 现 (xian) 'to appear, to become visible'. Together: to bring something into view, 'to discover'.

Origin
compound
Root
发 (fa, 'to bring out') + 现 (xian, 'to appear', with 王/玉 radical)

Stroke order

Stroke order for 发

Stroke order for 现

Examples

I discovered a secret.

Did you notice?

Scientists discovered a new method.

I realised that my wallet was missing.

suǒ

She noticed that the door was not locked.

发现 (fā xiàn) means to discover, to find. It is used as a verb in everyday Mandarin speech.

Used in

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This word is part of lesson 5.