Meaning and Usage
"発射" (はっしゃ) primarily means "launching" or "firing" and is commonly used in contexts involving rockets, missiles, or projectiles. It refers to the act of sending something flying or shooting it out.
Common Contexts
You will often see "発射" in news reports about space launches, military missile tests, or fireworks displays. It is a formal term and typically used in technical or official contexts rather than casual conversation.
Collocations and Patterns
- 発射する: to launch or fire something
- 発射台: launch pad
- 発射の合図: signal to launch/fire
Usage Notes
When using "発射," the focus is on the moment or act of launching or firing. It is not used for general throwing or shooting in sports; for example, "シュート" or "投げる" would be used instead. Avoid confusing "発射" with "発表" (announcement) or "発車" (departure of a vehicle).
Register
"発射" is neutral to formal and mostly appears in written or formal spoken Japanese, especially in scientific, military, or technical contexts.