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发育 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
发育fāyùto developHSK 6, vn, rank #9179, Hard
发育fāyùgrowthHSK 6, vn, rank #9179, Hard
发育fāyùdevelopmentHSK 6, vn, rank #9179, Hard
发育fāyùto matureHSK 6, unknown, rank #9179, Hard
发育fāyù(sexually) matureHSK 6, unknown, rank #9179, Hard
fāyù(fa1yu4) T1
  1. 1to develop
  2. 2growth
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March 24, 2026
发育(發育)fāyù(fa1yu4)

发育 refers to the process of growth and development, especially in biological contexts such as physical maturation or sexual development. It can also be used more broadly to describe the development of skills or ideas in various fields.

Frequency#9179DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, discussions about 发育 often relate to the importance placed on education and personal development from a young age, reflecting the societal emphasis on nurturing talent and potential.

Memory Tip

Imagine a sprouting seed (发) growing into a mature plant (育). The character 发 looks like a plant reaching upward, while 育 represents nurturing and growth. Together, they evoke the idea of something developing and maturing over time.

Meanings of 发育

fāyù(fa1yu4)
1to develop
2growth
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 发育

发育Simplified
發育Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#9179Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 发育

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Podcast: 发育

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AI Study Notes for 发育

Quick Contrast

发达 (fādá) refers to being developed or advanced, while 发育 (fāyù) emphasizes the process of growth and development.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a sprouting seed (发) growing into a mature plant (育). The character 发 looks like a plant reaching upward, while 育 represents nurturing and growth. Together, they evoke the idea of something developing and maturing over time.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 发育 with 成长 (chéngzhǎng), which can also mean growth but generally refers to personal or emotional development. Use 发育 in more scientific or biological contexts. Be mindful of the tone; mispronouncing it can change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 发育 connects with various vocabulary related to growth, development, and biology. Focus on understanding its use in both literal and metaphorical contexts, especially in discussions about education or health.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, discussions about 发育 often relate to the importance placed on education and personal development from a young age, reflecting the societal emphasis on nurturing talent and potential.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes mistakenly use 发育 in non-biological contexts, leading to confusion. For instance, saying '发育' when discussing personal skills instead of '发展' (fāzhǎn) is incorrect. Use 发育 specifically for physical or biological development.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 发育

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Component Characters

发fāto send out
HSK 35 strokes又
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育yùto have children
HSK 48 strokes⺼
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Write 发育

发
育

Practice writing 发育 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 发育

发育 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

细胞不断地分裂更新，这是人体____过程的一部分。

Cells divide and renew as part of the human growth process.

Example Sentences for 发育 (10)

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1
细胞不断地分裂更新，这是人体发育过程的一部分。

xì bāo bù duàn dì fēn liè gēng xīn， ， zhè shì rén tǐ fā yù guò chéng de yī bù。

Cells divide and renew as part of the human growth process.
2
斯科特的肌肉萎缩，一条腿发育不完全，成了个瘸子。

sī kē tè de jī ròu wěi suō， ， yī tiáo tuǐ fā yù bù wán， quán ， chéng le gè。

Scott's muscle atrophied, his leg became stunted, and he was left lame.
3
他们的身体发育得很好，非常健壮。

tā mén de shēn tǐ fā yù dé hěn hǎo， ， fēi cháng jiàn。

Their bodies were well-developed and super fit.
4
在孩子身体发育成熟时，你就知道会发生什么事了。

zài hái zǐ shēn tǐ fā yù chéng shú shí， ， nǐ jiù zhī dào huì fā shēng shí mó shì。

You will learn what to expect as your child matures physically.
5
通常女孩性发育成熟要比男孩早两年。

tōng cháng nǚ hái xìng fā yù chéng shú yào bǐ nán hái zǎo liǎng nián。

Girls generally reach sexual maturity two years earlier than boys.
6
这男孩子的嗓音在发育期开始变得粗声粗气.

zhè nán hái zǐ de sǎng yīn zài fā yù qī kāi shǐ biàn dé cū shēng cū qì.

The boy's voice is beginning to crack at the age of puberty.
7
《植物发育的分子机理》许智宏 、 刘春明,科学出版社, 1998.

《 《 zhí wù fā yù de fēn zǐ jī》 lǐ 》 xǔ、 zhì hóng 、, liú chūn míng , kē,1998.

Molecular Genetics of Plant Development . Stephen Howell , Cambridge University Press,
8
腋牙发育成每簇含2--35朵花的花簇.

yè yá fā yù chéng měi cù hán2--35 2--35 duǒ huā de huā.

Axillary buds develop into flower cluster of 2 to 35 flowers each.
9
顶积 、 前积和底积层均正常发育.

dǐng jī、 、 qián jī hé dǐ jī céng jūn zhèng cháng fā.

Topset, foreset, and bottomset beds normally developed.
10
生长素主要是从旺盛生长新梢上正在发育的幼叶产生出来.

shēng cháng sù zhǔ yào shì cóng wàng shèng shēng cháng xīn shāo shàng zhèng zài fā yù de yòu yè chǎn shēng chū lái.

Auxins are produced mainly by young developing leaves on actively growing shoots.

Cultural Notes for 发育

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, discussions about 发育 often relate to the importance placed on education and personal development from a young age, reflecting the societal emphasis on nurturing talent and potential.

Frequently Asked Questions about 发育

You can use 发育 in contexts like discussing child development, biological growth, or even in metaphorical situations, such as the development of ideas or skills.