B1 noun 6 min read

〜発

This word means departing from a place or indicating the origin of departure.

hatsu

Explanation at your level:

Hello! The word '〜発' (hatsu) is like a special tag you add to a place name. It means 'leaving from' that place. Imagine your toy train is leaving the 'station'. You can say 'station-hatsu' to show it's leaving from the station. It helps us know where the journey starts. It's easy and useful for talking about trips!

The Japanese suffix '〜発' (hatsu) is used to indicate the place of departure. When you see a place name followed by '〜発', it means that the train, bus, or flight is leaving *from* that location. For example, 'Osaka-hatsu' means 'departing from Osaka'. This is very common on transportation schedules and signs to make it clear where your journey begins.

The term '〜発' (hatsu) functions as a suffix in Japanese, primarily used in the context of travel and transportation to denote the point of origin. When appended to a location, such as a city or station name (e.g., 'Kyoto-hatsu'), it signifies 'departing from Kyoto'. This is crucial information for passengers planning their journeys, ensuring they know the exact starting point for trains, flights, or buses. It's a concise and standard way to communicate departure information.

In Japanese, '〜発' (hatsu) serves as a noun suffix indicating the origin of departure. It is most frequently encountered in transportation contexts, where it's appended to place names to specify the departure point of a vehicle. For instance, 'Nagoya-hatsu' clearly means 'departing from Nagoya'. While its primary use is literal, it can occasionally appear in more abstract contexts, signifying the origin of an event or phenomenon, albeit less commonly. Understanding '〜発' is key to navigating Japanese travel information accurately.

The Japanese suffix '〜発' (hatsu), derived from the kanji '発' meaning 'to depart' or 'to originate', functions as a nominalizer indicating the point of departure. It is predominantly employed in transportation logistics, appended to geographical locations (e.g., 'Fukuoka-hatsu' - departing from Fukuoka) to specify the starting point of a journey via train, ship, or aircraft. Its usage ensures unambiguous communication of travel itineraries. Beyond transportation, '〜発' can subtly extend to signify the genesis of initiatives or events in formal discourse, though this application is less frequent and carries a more abstract connotation of origination.

The morpheme '〜発' (hatsu), derived from the kanji '発' (to depart, emit, originate), functions as a postpositional suffix in Japanese, specifically marking the point of origin for movement or commencement. Its etymological roots in 'shooting forth' lend it a precise connotation of initiating action from a locus. Predominantly utilized in the domain of transportation, it forms standard collocations like 'Shinjuku-hatsu' (departing from Shinjuku) on timetables and signage, offering critical navigational data. Its application can extend metaphorically into socio-political or economic discourse, denoting the genesis of trends or policies, albeit with a nuanced formality. The historical evolution of '発' from ancient pictograms to its modern functional role exemplifies semantic drift and linguistic adaptation in response to societal needs, particularly the standardization of travel and communication.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • 〜発 (hatsu) means 'departing from' or 'originating from'.
  • It's a suffix attached to place names (e.g., 東京発 - departing from Tokyo).
  • Most commonly used for transportation schedules (trains, planes, buses).
  • It specifies the starting point of a journey or event.

Hey there! Let's dive into the cool Japanese suffix '〜発' (hatsu). It's a super useful little word that pops up a lot, especially when you're talking about travel or movement. Think of it as a marker that tells you exactly where something is starting from. It's not just about trains and planes, though; it can apply to anything that has a clear point of origin.

When you see '〜発', it's essentially saying 'departing from' or 'originating from'. It's like a signpost pointing back to where the journey began. This makes it incredibly handy for clarity, ensuring everyone knows the starting point. Imagine planning a trip – knowing the '〜発' location is crucial for getting to the right place at the right time!

So, whether you're looking at a train schedule, a flight itinerary, or even a notice about a public event, '〜発' helps pinpoint the starting location. It's a fundamental part of communicating departure information clearly and efficiently. Keep an eye out for it, and you'll start seeing it everywhere!

The character '発' (hatsu) itself has a rich history, originating from ancient Chinese script. Its original pictographic form is believed to represent an arrow being shot from a bow, symbolizing 'to shoot forth', 'to launch', or 'to depart'. Over centuries, this core meaning evolved to encompass broader concepts of starting, originating, and emitting.

In Japanese, '発' is a kanji character that carries these multiple meanings. When used as a suffix like '〜発', it specifically hones in on the idea of 'departure' or 'launching forth' from a specific point. This usage became particularly prominent with the development of modern transportation systems in Japan, such as railways and steamships, where clear indication of departure points was essential for scheduling and passenger information.

The character's journey from an ancient symbol of an arrow to a modern marker for travel departures is a fascinating example of how language adapts. It’s a testament to the character’s inherent meaning of initiating movement. Fun fact: '発' is also used in many other contexts, like '発表' (happyō - announcement) or '発明' (hatsumei - invention), all stemming from that core idea of 'bringing forth' or 'sending out'.

You'll most often encounter '〜発' in contexts related to travel and transportation. It's almost always attached to the name of a place, like a city or a station, to indicate that this is the departure point. For instance, '東京発' (Tōkyō-hatsu) means 'departing from Tokyo'. This is super common on train tickets, airport signs, and bus schedules.

Beyond literal travel, '〜発' can also be used more figuratively. You might see it in news reports or official announcements to signify the origin of something, like a disease outbreak or a new policy initiative. For example, '国内発' (kokunai-hatsu) could mean 'originating domestically'. While less common in everyday chat, it adds a formal and precise tone when used.

Common word combinations include place names followed by '発', like '大阪発の飛行機' (Ōsaka-hatsu no hikōki - a flight departing from Osaka) or '博多発、新幹線' (Hakata-hatsu, Shinkansen - the Shinkansen departing from Hakata). It's a very direct and unambiguous way to convey origin. In terms of formality, it leans towards neutral to formal, especially when used in written schedules or official announcements.

While '〜発' itself isn't typically part of idiomatic expressions in the way a standalone verb might be, its meaning of 'departure' or 'origin' is fundamental to many phrases related to starting journeys or initiatives. Think of it as a building block for expressions about beginnings.

Here are some ways the concept is used, even if '〜発' isn't explicitly in a set idiom:

  • 出発 (shuppatsu): This is the most common word for 'departure' or 'setting off'. It combines '出' (out) and '発' (depart). Example: 明日の朝、出発します。 (Ashita no asa, shuppatsu shimasu.) - I will depart tomorrow morning.
  • 発車 (hassha): This specifically means 'departure of a vehicle', like a train or bus. It uses '発' with '車' (car/vehicle). Example: 電車が発車します。ご注意ください。 (Densha ga hassha shimasu. Gochūi kudasai.) - The train is departing. Please be careful.
  • 発祥 (hasshō): This refers to the 'origin' or 'birthplace' of something, often used for cultural practices, religions, or even diseases. It implies a starting point from which things spread. Example: この文化は古代に発祥しました。 (Kono bunka wa kodai ni hasshō shimashita.) - This culture originated in ancient times.
  • 発信 (hasshin): Meaning 'to transmit' or 'to send out' (like a signal, email, or message). It’s about sending something *from* a source. Example: メールを発信しました。 (Mēru o hasshin shimashita.) - I sent the email.
  • 発起人 (hokkinin): This refers to the 'promoter' or 'organizer' of an event or project – the person who initiates it. It literally means 'person who starts'. Example: 彼はこのイベントの発起人です。 (Kare wa kono ibento no hokkinin desu.) - He is the promoter of this event.

These examples show how the core meaning of '発' as a starting point or launching force is woven into the fabric of the Japanese language.

As a suffix, '〜発' doesn't change form for plurals or articles; it's directly attached to the preceding noun (usually a place name). For example, you don't say 'Tōkyō-hatsus'; it remains '東京発' (Tōkyō-hatsu). It functions as part of a compound noun or as an adjectival phrase modifying a following noun, like '東京発の便' (Tōkyō-hatsu no bin - a flight from Tokyo).

Pronunciation is straightforward. '発' is pronounced 'hatsu'. So, '東京発' is 'Tōkyō-hatsu', with the stress generally falling evenly on each syllable. The 'tsu' sound is a bit like the 'ts' in 'cats'. When saying it, aim for a clear, crisp pronunciation of both syllables.

Rhyming words aren't really applicable here as 'hatsu' is a specific morpheme. However, words ending in '-atsu' exist, such as 'katsu' (cutlet) or 'matsu' (pine tree), but they don't share the same meaning or grammatical function. Common pronunciation errors might include mispronouncing the 'tsu' sound or adding an unnecessary vowel sound after it. The IPA for 'hatsu' is /hɑt͡sɯ/. Remember, it's a single unit indicating origin!

Fun Fact

The character '発' is used in many words related to 'sending out' or 'originating', such as '発表' (announcement), '発明' (invention), and '発見' (discovery).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /hɑt͡sɯ/

Sounds like 'haht-soo', with the 'tsu' being a quick, sharp sound like in 'cats'.

US /hɑt͡sɯ/

Similar to UK, the 'tsu' is a single, distinct syllable, not 'soo'.

Common Errors

  • Adding an extra vowel sound after 'tsu', making it sound like 'hat-soo'.
  • Over-aspirating the 'h' sound.
  • Pronouncing 'tsu' too softly.

Rhymes With

katsu (勝つ - win) matsu (待つ - wait) tatsu (立つ - stand) kutsugaesu (覆す - overturn) tsukamu (掴む - grasp)

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize on schedules, understanding context is key.

Writing 3/5

Requires understanding context to use correctly, especially in abstract senses.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce and recognize in spoken announcements.

Listening 2/5

Commonly heard in station/airport announcements.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

Place names (Tokyo, Osaka, etc.) 電車 (densha - train) 飛行機 (hikōki - airplane) バス (basu - bus)

Learn Next

〜行き (~iki - bound for) 到着 (tōchaku - arrival) 出発 (shuppatsu - departure) 発車 (hassha - vehicle departure)

Advanced

発祥 (hasshō - origin) 発信源 (hasshin'gen - source of transmission) 発端 (hottan - origin/start)

Grammar to Know

Noun + の + Noun

東京発<strong>の</strong>飛行機 (Flight <strong>of</strong> Tokyo departure)

Noun + Particle + Noun

東京<strong>は</strong>発 10時 (Tokyo departure, 10 o'clock)

Suffixes

Understanding how suffixes like 〜発 work.

Examples by Level

1

東京発、電車。

Tokyo departing, train.

Place name + 〜発 means departing from that place.

2

バスは横浜発です。

Bus is Yokohama departing is.

〜発 often comes before the noun it describes (bus).

3

これは大阪発の飛行機です。

This is Osaka departing's airplane is.

〜発 + の + Noun is a common structure.

4

京都発はどこですか?

Kyoto departing is where?

Asking about the departure point.

5

僕の家は東京発です。

My home is Tokyo departing is.

Can be used informally for personal origins.

6

新幹線は博多発。

Shinkansen is Hakata departing.

Short, common way to state departure.

7

出発は札幌発。

Departure is Sapporo departing.

Reinforces the meaning of departure.

8

この船は神戸発。

This ship is Kobe departing.

Used for ships too!

1

この電車は東京発、品川行きです。

This train is Tokyo departing, Shinagawa bound is.

Combines departure and destination.

2

明日の便は大阪発になります。

Tomorrow's flight is Osaka departing will become.

'〜になります' is a polite way to state information.

3

札幌発の特急列車は、10時に着きます。

Sapporo departing's limited express train is, at 10 o'clock arrives.

'〜発の' modifies the noun '特急列車' (limited express train).

4

「名古屋発」のチケットを買いました。

'Nagoya departing's' ticket bought.

Quotation marks can be used around '〜発' phrases.

5

このバスは終点が京都発です。

This bus terminal is Kyoto departing is.

Slightly unusual phrasing, but possible.

6

駅員さんが「福岡発は3番線です」と教えてくれた。

Station staff 'Fukuoka departing is platform 3 is' told.

Direct speech quoting departure information.

7

国際線は成田発、国内線は羽田発です。

International flights are Narita departing, domestic flights are Haneda departing is.

Comparing departure points for different flight types.

8

時刻表を見ると、東京発の電車がたくさんあった。

Timetable looking at, Tokyo departing's trains many there were.

'〜発' is frequently seen on timetables.

1

この列車は、東京を午前9時に発車します。

This train is, Tokyo at 9 AM departs.

While '〜発' is common, '発車します' (hassha shimasu) is the verb for vehicle departure.

2

「京都発、最終の新幹線」というアナウンスが流れた。

'Kyoto departing, last Shinkansen' announcement flowed.

Often used in announcements for the final service.

3

彼は、大阪発のツアーに参加することにした。

He, Osaka departing's tour participate decided.

'〜発の' acts like an adjective modifying 'ツアー' (tour).

4

時刻表には、〇〇駅発着の列車が記載されている。

Timetable in, XX station departure/arrival trains are listed.

Often seen with '着' (arrival) as '発着' (departure and arrival).

5

このイベントは、地元企業が主体となって企画・発信された。

This event is, local companies main body became planned and transmitted.

Here '発信された' (hasshin sareta) means 'was transmitted/initiated', showing a broader use of '発'.

6

航空券は、出発地が東京発で、目的地がロンドンです。

Air ticket is, departure point is Tokyo departing, destination is London is.

Clearly stating the departure point on travel documents.

7

「神戸発、夜行フェリー」は、快適な旅を提供します。

'Kobe departing, night ferry' comfortable journey provides.

Used for ferries as well, often highlighting convenience.

8

そのニュースは、国内発の感染症拡大として報じられた。

That news, domestically originating infectious disease spread as was reported.

Used in news reporting for domestic origins of events.

1

最新の時刻表によれば、東京発の夜行列車は廃止された模様だ。

Latest timetable according to, Tokyo departing's night train abolished seems.

Implies a formal context, discussing changes in services.

2

このプロジェクトは、若手クリエイターによる自主的な発信から始まった。

This project is, young creators by voluntary transmission/initiation from started.

Here, '発信' (hasshin) implies initiative and outward communication from a source.

3

「博多発、臨時快速」は、週末のみ運行される。

'Hakata departing, temporary rapid train' is, weekends only operated is.

Specifies a temporary or special service originating from a location.

4

その研究は、国内発の画期的な技術に基づいている。

That research is, domestically originating groundbreaking technology based on.

Used in academic or technical contexts to denote domestic origin.

5

今回のキャンペーンは、東京本社発の指示により実施されている。

This time's campaign is, Tokyo head office departing's instruction by being implemented.

Indicates a directive or instruction originating from a specific office.

6

「札幌発、流氷物語号」は、冬の北海道を代表する観光列車だ。

'Sapporo departing, drift ice story train' is, winter's Hokkaido represents tourist train is.

Often used for naming special tourist or seasonal trains.

7

この問題の発端は、一部のメディアによる誤った報道にあった。

This problem's origin is, some media by incorrect reporting was.

While not using '〜発', '発端' (hottan - origin/start) shares the core meaning and is relevant.

8

航空会社のウェブサイトでは、出発地と目的地を入力して検索する。

Airline company's website in, departure point and destination input search.

The concept of 'departure point' (出発地 - shuppatsuchi) is fundamental to booking systems.

1

その都市は、古くから交易の中心地として栄え、東西文化の接点・発信地としての役割を担ってきた。

That city, from old times trade center as flourished, East-West culture's contact point/transmission point role undertook.

Here, '発信地' (hasshinchī - point of transmission/origination) is used in a broader cultural and historical context.

2

最新の気象データに基づくと、この低気圧は太平洋の沖合から発生・発達する見込みである。

Latest weather data based on, this low-pressure system Pacific Ocean's offshore from generated/developed is expected.

While '発生' (hassei - generation) is used, the concept of origin is key, and '〜発' could be conceptually linked.

3

「京都発、嵐山行き」のトロッコ列車は、風光明媚な保津川渓谷を走る。

'Kyoto departing, Arashiyama bound's' scenic train runs along the scenic Hozugawa River valley.

Specific naming convention for tourist trains, emphasizing origin and destination.

4

この地域における新たな産業創出は、地元大学発の研究成果に負うところが大きい。

This region's new industry creation is, local university originating research results owes significantly.

'大学発' (daigaku-hatsu) signifies research originating from or initiated by a university, often leading to commercialization.

5

計画の遅延は、当初の想定とは異なる、予期せぬ外部要因の発動によるものである。

The plan's delay is, initial assumption different, unexpected external factors' activation/initiation due to is.

'発動' (hatsudō - activation, initiation) relates to the 'starting' aspect of '発', often used for policies or actions.

6

その報道は、特定の政治的意図の発信源を疑わせるものであった。

That reporting, specific political intention's source of transmission cast doubt.

'発信源' (hasshin'gen - source of transmission) is a direct derivative, highlighting the origin of information.

7

「横浜発、みなとみらいクルーズ」では、港の夜景を堪能できる。

'Yokohama departing, Minato Mirai Cruise' in, the port's night view can be enjoyed.

Used for naming specific cruise routes or tours originating from a port.

8

現代アートにおける「ポスト・ストリート・アート」の潮流は、都市空間からの新たな発露として注目されている。

Contemporary art in 'Post-Street Art' trend is, urban space from new manifestation/expression as is being noted.

'発露' (hatsuro - manifestation, expression) connects to the idea of something coming forth or originating from a source.

1

その文学作品は、作者自身の苦悩の発露であり、読者に深い共感を呼び起こす。

That literary work is, author's own suffering's manifestation/expression and, readers deep empathy evokes.

'発露' (hatsuro) here signifies the outward expression or manifestation of internal states, a nuanced extension of 'originating from'.

2

歴史的観点から見れば、その革命運動は、既存体制への不満という土壌から自然発生したものであった。

Historical perspective from looking at, that revolutionary movement is, existing system's dissatisfaction that soil from naturally generated was.

'自然発生' (shizen hassei - spontaneous generation/occurrence) emphasizes an origin from inherent conditions, echoing the 'starting from' concept.

3

「東京発、最後のブルートレイン」という言葉には、時代の終焉と郷愁が入り混じった情感が込められている。

'Tokyo departing, last Blue Train' that word in, era's end and nostalgia mixed emotion is contained.

This phrasing carries significant cultural weight, symbolizing the end of an era and evoking nostalgia, going beyond mere factual departure.

4

その芸術家の作品群は、都市の喧騒と静寂という二律背反する要素からの発想の飛躍によって特徴づけられる。

That artist's body of work, city's noise and silence that contradictory elements from leap of imagination characterized.

'発想' (hassō - idea, conception) relates to the origination of thought, linking to the 'starting point' idea.

5

この地域特有の言語変異は、地理的孤立と外部文化との限定的な接触という複合的要因の発現と見ることができる。

This region specific language variation is, geographical isolation and external culture with limited contact that complex factors' manifestation can be seen as.

'発現' (hatsugen - manifestation, appearance) denotes the emergence or coming into being of something, stemming from underlying causes.

6

「大阪発、浪速の伝統芸能」をテーマにした公演は、地域文化の継承と発展を目指すものである。

'Osaka departing, Naniwa's traditional arts' theme based performance, regional culture's inheritance and development aims.

Connects a geographical origin with the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage.

7

彼の政治的信条の根幹には、幼少期に経験した社会的不条理という原体験の発露があった。

His political beliefs' core in, childhood experienced social injustice that original experience's manifestation was.

Elevates '発露' to the deep, personal origin of core beliefs and ideologies.

8

この古典文学における「旅立ち」のモチーフは、単なる地理的移動を超えた、精神的成熟への遍歴の発露として解釈されるべきである。

This classical literature in 'departure' motif is, mere geographical movement beyond, spiritual maturity towards journey manifestation interpreted should be.

Interprets 'departure' not just physically but as a metaphor for inner transformation, a profound 'originating from' a new state of being.

Common Collocations

東京発 (Tōkyō-hatsu)
大阪発の列車 (Ōsaka-hatsu no ressha)
国内発 (kokunai-hatsu)
臨時発 (rinji-hatsu)
最終発 (saishū-hatsu)
〇〇発 〇〇行き (〇〇-hatsu 〇〇-iki)
発車時刻 (hassha jikoku)
出発地 (shuppatsuchi)
発信元 (hasshinmoto)
発祥の地 (hasshō no chi)

Idioms & Expressions

"出発点 (shuppatsuten)"

Starting point, origin (can be literal or figurative).

このプロジェクトの出発点は、小さなアイデアだった。

neutral

"発起する (hokki suru)"

To initiate, to start, to propose (an event, project, etc.).

彼は新しい会社を設立するために資金を発起した。

formal

"発破をかける (happa o kakeru)"

To set off explosives; figuratively, to spur someone on or motivate them.

チームを鼓舞するために、監督は発破をかけた。

casual/figurative

"発奮する (happun suru)"

To be inspired, to rouse oneself to action, to work with renewed vigor.

失敗を乗り越え、彼はさらに発奮した。

neutral/formal

"発破をかける (happpa o kakeru)"

To blast (with explosives); to spur someone on.

工事現場では、岩盤を砕くために発破をかけた。

neutral

"発作を起こす (hossa o okosu)"

To have a seizure or fit (medical term).

突然、彼は激しい咳の発作を起こした。

medical/neutral

Easily Confused

〜発 vs 出発 (shuppatsu)

Both relate to starting a journey.

出発 is a general word for departure (verb/noun). 〜発 is a suffix attached to a place name to specify the departure point.

列車が<strong>出発</strong>します。(The train departs.) vs. 東京<strong>発</strong>の列車 (The train departing from Tokyo.)

〜発 vs 発車 (hassha)

Both indicate departure.

発車 specifically refers to the departure of vehicles (trains, buses). 〜発 indicates the location of departure.

電車が<strong>発車</strong>します。(The train departs.) vs. 東京<strong>発</strong>の電車 (The train departing from Tokyo.)

〜発 vs 〜着 (〜chaku)

Often seen together with 〜発.

〜発 means departure/origin. 〜着 means arrival/destination.

東京<strong>発</strong>、大阪<strong>着</strong> (Tokyo departure, Osaka arrival.)

〜発 vs 発祥 (hasshō)

Both relate to origin.

〜発 is primarily for physical departure points (trains, flights). 発祥 is for the origin/birthplace of abstract things like cultures, ideas, or diseases.

大阪<strong>発</strong>のツアー (Tour departing from Osaka.) vs. この文化の<strong>発祥</strong>の地 (The birthplace of this culture.)

Sentence Patterns

A1-A2

Place Name + 〜発

東京発。

A2-B1

Place Name + 〜発 + の + Noun

大阪発の飛行機。

A2-B1

Place Name + 〜発, Place Name + 〜行き

京都発、奈良行き。

B1-B2

Noun + 〜発

国内発。

B1-B2

Adjective/Qualifier + 〜発 + の + Noun

最終発のバス。

Word Family

Nouns

出発 (shuppatsu) departure
発車 (hassha) vehicle departure
発信 (hasshin) transmission, sending out
発祥 (hasshō) origin, birthplace
発起人 (hokkinin) promoter, initiator

Verbs

出発する (shuppatsu suru) to depart
発車する (hassha suru) to depart (vehicle)
発信する (hasshin suru) to transmit, to send out
発起する (hokki suru) to initiate, to start

Related

発 (hatsu) The kanji character itself, meaning 'to depart', 'to emit', 'to originate'.
〜行き (~iki) Often paired with 〜発 to indicate destination (e.g., 東京発 大阪行き - Tokyo departure, Osaka bound).

How to Use It

Formality Scale

formal neutral casual

Common Mistakes

Using 〜発 for arrival. 〜着 (〜chaku) or 到着 (tōchaku)
〜発 specifically means departure or origin, not arrival.
Adding plurals like 〜発s. 〜発 (no change)
Suffixes like 〜発 do not take plural forms.
Confusing 発車 (hassha) and 出発 (shuppatsu). 発車 for vehicles, 出発 for people/general departure.
While related, 発車 is specific to vehicles leaving a station.
Using 〜発 for abstract origins incorrectly. Use 発祥 (hasshō) or 発生源 (hasseigen) for abstract origins.
〜発 is primarily for physical departure points; abstract origins need more specific terms.
Pronouncing 'hatsu' as 'hat-soo'. Pronounce 'tsu' as a single, short syllable /t͡sɯ/.
The 'tsu' sound is affricate and quick, not a separate 'soo'.

Tips

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The 'Hat Off' Trick

Remember 'hatsu' sounds like taking your 'hat off' when you depart! It’s a simple way to link the sound to the meaning of leaving.

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Spot It on Schedules

Next time you see a Japanese train or flight schedule (even online), look for place names followed by '発'. It's the most common place you'll encounter it!

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Efficiency in Language

The '〜発' suffix is a great example of how Japanese packs information efficiently. Instead of saying 'the train that departs from Tokyo', you just say 'Tokyo-hatsu train'.

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Suffix Power

Recognize '〜発' as a suffix. This means it attaches directly to the preceding word (usually a place) and doesn't change its form.

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Master the 'Tsu'

Practice the 'tsu' sound (/t͡sɯ/) in 'hatsu'. It's a quick, single sound. Listen to native speakers and mimic them!

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Arrival vs. Departure

Never confuse '〜発' (departure) with '〜着' (arrival). They are opposites!

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From Arrows to Airports

The kanji '発' originally meant 'to shoot an arrow'. Imagine that arrow launching from Tokyo Station!

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Beyond Trains

While common for transport, remember '〜発' can sometimes indicate the origin of news, ideas, or policies in more formal writing.

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No Plurals Here!

Don't try to make '〜発' plural. It's a fixed suffix. 'Tokyo-hatsu' is correct, never 'Tokyo-hatsu-s'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Hatsu' sounding like 'hats off' when you depart for a trip – you take your hat off to say goodbye!

Visual Association

Imagine a train with the word 'Hatsu' written boldly on its front, pointing the way it's departing from.

Word Web

Departure Origin Starting Point Travel Train Flight Station Schedule Journey

Challenge

Find a Japanese train schedule online and identify 5 different '〜発' locations.

Word Origin

Chinese (漢字)

Original meaning: The character '発' originally depicted an arrow being shot from a bow, symbolizing 'to shoot forth', 'to launch', 'to depart'.

Cultural Context

None. It's a neutral, factual term used in public transportation and logistics.

In English-speaking cultures, departure information is usually stated directly, e.g., 'Flight BA249 from London Heathrow' or 'The train to Manchester departs from Platform 9'. The suffix structure is unique to languages like Japanese.

Train station departure boards (e.g., Tokyo Station, Shinjuku Station). Flight information screens at airports (e.g., Narita, Haneda). Bus schedules and timetables. Travel brochures and booking websites.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Train Station

  • 東京発、新大阪行き。
  • この電車は博多発ですか?
  • 最終発は何時ですか?

Airport

  • 成田発のフライトは3番ゲートです。
  • 国内線は羽田発、国際線は成田発。
  • 出発地(東京発)を確認してください。

Bus Terminal

  • このバスは横浜発です。
  • 京都発の高速バス。
  • 発車時刻表

News/Announcements

  • 国内発の感染症について。
  • 「〇〇発、臨時便運行のお知らせ」

Conversation Starters

"次の電車は、どこ発ですか? (Where is the next train departing from?)"

"このツアーは、どこ発の便になりますか? (Where is the flight for this tour departing from?)"

"もし日本で旅行するなら、どこ発の電車に乗ってみたいですか? (If you were to travel in Japan, from where would you like to take a train?)"

"このニュースは、どこ発の情報だと思いますか? (Where do you think this news originated from?)"

"「〜発」という言葉は、旅行の計画にどう役立ちますか? (How does the term '~hatsu' help in planning travel?)"

Journal Prompts

Describe a memorable trip you took, mentioning the departure city using '〜発'.

Imagine you are creating a new train line. What would you name its departure station using '〜発'?

Write about a time you got confused about departure or arrival information. How could '〜発' have helped?

Think about a project or idea you initiated. How could you describe its origin using the concept of '〜発' metaphorically?

Frequently Asked Questions

8 questions

While most common for vehicles (trains, planes, buses), it can be used figuratively or in specific contexts for people or initiatives originating from a place.

It's not standard for personal addresses in everyday conversation, but you might see it in specific contexts like event invitations specifying a starting point.

〜発 is a suffix attached to a place name to indicate departure *from* that place (e.g., 東京発). 出発 is a general verb/noun meaning 'departure' or 'to depart'.

No, '〜発' is used for trains, planes, buses, ships, etc. Specific verbs like 発車 (hassha) exist for vehicle departure, but 〜発 itself is universal for indicating the origin.

Often, yes. It can be followed by 'の' and then a noun (e.g., 東京発の便 - flight from Tokyo), or it can stand alone as part of a phrase (e.g., 東京発、品川行き - Tokyo departure, Shinagawa bound).

Less commonly. For abstract origins, terms like 発祥 (hasshō - origin/birthplace) or 発信源 (hasshin'gen - source of transmission) are usually preferred.

It's pronounced 'hatsu'. The 'tsu' sound is quick and sharp, like the 'ts' in 'cats'.

The closest concept is arrival, often indicated by 〜着 (〜chaku) or the word 到着 (tōchaku).

Test Yourself

fill blank A1

このバスは___発です。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 大阪

The sentence asks for the departure point of the bus. '大阪' (Osaka) fits as a place name.

multiple choice A2

「札幌発」の意味は? (What does 'Sapporo-hatsu' mean?)

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: Departing from Sapporo

'〜発' indicates departure from the preceding place name.

true false B1

「〜着」は出発地を示します。( '~chaku' indicates the departure point.)

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

「〜着」 indicates arrival, while 「〜発」 indicates departure.

match pairs B1

Word

Meaning

All matched!

Matching common terms and their meanings related to departure.

sentence order B2

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

The correct sentence is 'この飛行機は東京発の便です。' (This airplane is a flight departing from Tokyo.)

fill blank B2

このフェリーは___発、___行きです。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 神戸 / 大阪

This is a common format for ferry or ship routes. Assuming a plausible route like Kobe to Osaka.

multiple choice C1

「大学発ベンチャー」という言葉が示すものは? (What does the term 'daigaku-hatsu venture' indicate?)

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: A venture originating from university research/initiatives

'大学発' signifies that the origin or core idea comes from the university.

true false C1

「〜発」は、到着地を示す場合にも使われることがある。( '~hatsu' can sometimes be used to indicate the arrival point.)

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

'〜発' strictly means departure/origin. Arrival is indicated by '〜着' or '到着'.

fill blank C2

その芸術運動は、既存の価値観への___として始まった。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 発露 (hatsuro)

'発露' (manifestation, expression) fits the context of an art movement originating as a reaction.

sentence creation B1

Write a sentence using '〜発' and a city name (e.g., Kyoto).

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 京都発のバスは、1時間に1本です。

Example sentence: 'Buses departing from Kyoto run once an hour.'

Score: /10

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