Usage and Nuances
The verb "发动" (fā dòng) primarily means "to start" or "to launch". It is commonly used for starting engines or machines, such as cars or industrial equipment. Beyond literal starting, it also refers to initiating actions or campaigns, especially those involving collective effort or social movements.
Common Collocations
- 发动汽车 (fādòng qìchē): to start a car engine
- 发动战争 (fādòng zhànzhēng): to launch a war
- 发动运动 (fādòng yùndòng): to initiate a campaign or movement
These collocations show that "发动" often implies an active, deliberate initiation of something significant.
Register and Tone
"发动" is neutral in tone and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is more formal than simply saying "开始" (kāishǐ) when referring to starting machines or organized actions.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse "发动" with "发生" (fāshēng), which means "to happen" or "to occur". "发动" emphasizes the initiation by an agent, while "发生" is more about events occurring naturally or passively.
Usage and Nuances
The verb "发动" (fā dòng) primarily means "to start" or "to launch". It is commonly used for starting engines or machines, such as cars or industrial equipment. Beyond literal starting, it also refers to initiating actions or campaigns, especially those involving collective effort or social movements.
Common Collocations
- 发动汽车 (fādòng qìchē): to start a car engine
- 发动战争 (fādòng zhànzhēng): to launch a war
- 发动运动 (fādòng yùndòng): to initiate a campaign or movement
These collocations show that "发动" often implies an active, deliberate initiation of something significant.
Register and Tone
"发动" is neutral in tone and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is more formal than simply saying "开始" (kāishǐ) when referring to starting machines or organized actions.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse "发动" with "发生" (fāshēng), which means "to happen" or "to occur". "发动" emphasizes the initiation by an agent, while "发生" is more about events occurring naturally or passively.
Usage and Nuances
The verb "发动" (fā dòng) primarily means "to start" or "to launch". It is commonly used for starting engines or machines, such as cars or industrial equipment. Beyond literal starting, it also refers to initiating actions or campaigns, especially those involving collective effort or social movements.
Common Collocations
- 发动汽车 (fādòng qìchē): to start a car engine
- 发动战争 (fādòng zhànzhēng): to launch a war
- 发动运动 (fādòng yùndòng): to initiate a campaign or movement
These collocations show that "发动" often implies an active, deliberate initiation of something significant.
Register and Tone
"发动" is neutral in tone and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is more formal than simply saying "开始" (kāishǐ) when referring to starting machines or organized actions.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse "发动" with "发生" (fāshēng), which means "to happen" or "to occur". "发动" emphasizes the initiation by an agent, while "发生" is more about events occurring naturally or passively.