A2 Collocation Neutre 2 min de lecture

发展

To develop

Littéralement: Expand and Open

Use `发展` whenever you want to talk about things getting bigger, better, or more advanced.

En 15 secondes

  • Means to grow, expand, or progress in any area.
  • Used for economies, personal careers, and even romantic relationships.
  • Very positive word associated with improvement and the future.

Signification

This word describes things growing, expanding, or moving forward. It is used for everything from a country's economy to a romantic relationship getting serious.

Exemples clés

3 sur 6
1

Discussing a city's growth

这个城市发展得非常快。

This city is developing very fast.

💼
2

Talking about a relationship

我们发展得不错。

We are developing well (as a couple).

🤝
3

In a job interview

我希望能有更好的职业发展。

I hope to have better career development.

👔
🌍

Contexte culturel

The term became a central pillar of Chinese social discourse during the 'Reform and Opening-up' era starting in 1978. It reflects the collective national focus on economic growth and modernization. Today, it has shifted from purely economic meaning to include 'high-quality' personal and social development.

💡

The 'Dating' Nuance

If a Chinese friend asks '你们发展得怎么样?' about someone you're seeing, they are subtly asking if you've become official or physically intimate.

⚠️

Don't use for 'Growing Up'

Never use `发展` for a child getting taller. Use `长高` (zhǎng gāo) or `长大` (zhǎng dà) instead.

En 15 secondes

  • Means to grow, expand, or progress in any area.
  • Used for economies, personal careers, and even romantic relationships.
  • Very positive word associated with improvement and the future.

What It Means

发展 (fāzhǎn) is all about progress. Think of a seed turning into a tree. Or a small village becoming a giant city. It captures the energy of moving toward a better or bigger state. It is one of the most common words in modern China. You will hear it on the news and in the coffee shop.

How To Use It

You can use it as a verb or a noun. To say a city is developing, say 城市在发展. To talk about your career growth, say 职业发展. It is very flexible. You can add words like (fast) or (slow) to describe the pace. It is like a multi-tool in your vocabulary kit. Use it for business, personal goals, or even your love life.

When To Use It

Use it when discussing the future. It fits perfectly in job interviews when talking about your path. It is great for discussing technology or new trends. If you are dating someone and things are going well, you can say you are 发展ing. It sounds positive and forward-looking. It is the word of choice for anyone who wants to sound ambitious.

When NOT To Use It

Do not use it for physical height. If you grew taller, use 长高. Do not use it for simple aging. If a person gets older, that is not 发展. It is also not for fixing something broken. If your car is fixed, it did not 'develop.' It only applies to things that are evolving or expanding in scope or quality.

Cultural Background

In China, 'development' is a massive theme. Over the last 40 years, the country changed at lightning speed. Because of this, 发展 is deeply tied to national pride. It represents the 'Chinese Dream.' You will see it on red banners in streets. It is more than just a word; it is a collective mindset of constant improvement.

Common Variations

可持续发展 means 'sustainable development.' You will hear this in environmental talks. 发展中国家 means 'developing country.' If someone asks 你想怎么发展?, they are asking about your life plan. It is a deep question, so have an answer ready! Even in gaming, you 'develop' your character or base using this word.

Notes d'usage

The word is neutral and can be used in any setting. Just remember it implies a process of change over time, not a sudden event.

💡

The 'Dating' Nuance

If a Chinese friend asks '你们发展得怎么样?' about someone you're seeing, they are subtly asking if you've become official or physically intimate.

⚠️

Don't use for 'Growing Up'

Never use `发展` for a child getting taller. Use `长高` (zhǎng gāo) or `长大` (zhǎng dà) instead.

💬

The Power Word

In Chinese corporate culture, mentioning your desire for 'personal development' (`个人发展`) is the best way to impress a boss during a review.

Exemples

6
#1 Discussing a city's growth
💼

这个城市发展得非常快。

This city is developing very fast.

Uses 'de' to describe the speed of development.

#2 Talking about a relationship
🤝

我们发展得不错。

We are developing well (as a couple).

A common way to say a relationship is progressing.

#3 In a job interview
👔

我希望能有更好的职业发展。

I hope to have better career development.

Shows ambition and long-term planning.

#4 Texting a friend about a new hobby
😊

我的新爱好发展成了生意!

My new hobby developed into a business!

Shows a transition from one state to another.

#5 Humorous observation about a pet
😄

我的猫发展出了开门的技术。

My cat has developed the skill of opening doors.

Using a serious word for a funny animal behavior.

#6 Discussing technology
💼

科技的发展改变了生活。

The development of technology has changed lives.

Used as a noun here.

Teste-toi

Choose the best word to describe a company's growth.

这家公司在海外___得很好。

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : 发展

`发展` is used for business expansion, while `长大` is for children/animals and `发生` means 'to happen'.

Talk about your personal goals.

我来中国是为了寻求更好的___。

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : 发展

`发展` refers to personal or career growth. `发现` is 'to discover' and `发明` is 'to invent'.

🎉 Score : /2

Aides visuelles

Formality of 发展

Casual

Talking about dating or hobbies.

我们发展到哪一步了?

Neutral

General talk about cities or skills.

他的汉语发展很快。

Formal

Economic reports or business strategy.

促进经济稳步发展。

Where to use 发展

发展
📈

Economy

国家发展

💼

Career

职业发展

❤️

Romance

关系发展

🤖

Tech

科技发展

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Yes, but it sounds a bit formal. It is better to say 进步 (progress), though 发展 works if you mean the overall expansion of your abilities.

Not at all! You can use it for small things like a hobby or a personal relationship. For example, 我们的友谊发展得很快 (Our friendship developed quickly).

进步 (jìnbù) means 'improvement' or 'progress' in a skill. 发展 is broader, meaning 'expansion' or 'evolution' into a new stage.

The term is 发展中国家 (fāzhǎn zhōng guójiā). It literally means 'develop-middle-country'.

Yes. For example, 科技的发展 (the development of technology). It functions exactly like the English noun 'development'.

Yes, it's a very common, neutral word. It doesn't sound too stiff for texting friends about life updates.

Not really. If something is going backward, you would use 倒退 (dàotuì). 发展 is almost always positive.

Yes! You can say 故事情节的发展 (the development of the story plot).

This is a specific term often used in political or organizational contexts to mean a 'candidate for membership' or someone being considered for a role.

That would be 可持续发展 (kě chíxù fāzhǎn). It is a very common phrase in news and academic settings.

Expressions liées

进步

Progress / Improvement

增长

Increase / Growth (usually for numbers/economy)

扩大

To expand / Enlarge

变化

Change

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