chūfā: 出发 - To Set Out, Depart, Leave

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• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese verb 出发 (chūfā), meaning “to set out” or “to depart.” This guide covers its core meaning, character origins, and practical use in modern China for travel and starting projects. Understand the crucial difference between 出发 (chūfā) and 离开 (líkāi) with clear examples, making it a perfect resource for HSK 3 students and beginner learners wanting to speak more naturally about journeys.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): chūfā
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: To set out on a journey or to depart for a destination.
• In a Nutshell: 出发 (chūfā) is all about the beginning of a journey. Think of it as the moment you step out the door to go somewhere specific. It carries a sense of purpose and forward motion, focusing on the act of *starting* to go *towards* a destination, whether it's the airport, a friend's house, or a new phase in life.

• 出 (chū): To go out, to exit. The character is a pictograph of a foot (止) stepping out of a boundary or enclosure (凵), vividly representing the idea of “exiting.”
• 发 (fā): To send out, to issue, to start, to develop. This character has multiple meanings, but in this context, think of it as “setting something into motion” or “launching.”

When combined, 出发 (chūfā) literally means “to exit and set in motion,” which perfectly captures the meaning of “setting out” on a trip.

While 出发 (chūfā) is a common, everyday word, it taps into the culturally significant theme of the journey. In China, journeys are central to many stories, historical events, and personal milestones—from the ancient Silk Road to the modern-day phenomenon of traveling for the Spring Festival (春运 chūnyùn), or students leaving their hometowns for university. In Western culture, we might use “to leave,” “to depart,” or “to set off.” 出发 (chūfā) is closest to “to set off” or “to depart.” However, unlike the English word “leave,” which can be used for leaving a room or a job, 出发 (chūfā) is almost exclusively used for starting a physical journey to a destination. It implies a plan and a destination. You wouldn't say you are “出发-ing” a meeting; you would say you are `离开 (líkāi)` (leaving) the meeting. This focus on the *start of a purposeful journey* is the key cultural nuance.

出发 (chūfā) is used constantly in daily life, in both formal and informal situations.

• Informal Conversation: You'll use it with friends and family when making plans.
  • “我们几点出发？” (Wǒmen jǐ diǎn chūfā?) - “What time are we setting out?”
• Travel and Transportation: It's standard language for announcements at train stations and airports.
  • “开往北京的火车即将出发。” (Kāi wǎng Běijīng de huǒchē jíjiāng chūfā.) - “The train to Beijing is about to depart.”
• Metaphorical Usage: It can also be used metaphorically to mean “to start from a certain point” or “to proceed from a certain basis,” often in the pattern `从…出发 (cóng…chūfā)`.
  • “我们的讨论要从事实出发。” (Wǒmen de tǎolùn yào cóng shìshí chūfā.) - “Our discussion must start from the facts.”

Its connotation is generally neutral, simply stating the action of departure.

• Example 1:
• 时间不早了，我们出发吧！
• Pinyin: Shíjiān bù zǎo le, wǒmen chūfā ba!
• English: It's getting late, let's set off!
• Analysis: A very common, informal suggestion. The particle `吧 (ba)` softens the tone, making it a friendly proposal.
• Example 2:
• 飞机将于上午十点准时出发。
• Pinyin: Fēijī jiāng yú shàngwǔ shí diǎn zhǔnshí chūfā.
• English: The plane will depart on time at 10 AM.
• Analysis: This is a formal announcement. `将于 (jiāng yú)` is a formal way to say “will be at,” and `准时 (zhǔnshí)` means “on time,” both common in travel contexts.
• Example 3:
• 你决定什么时候出发去上海？
• Pinyin: Nǐ juédìng shénme shíhòu chūfā qù Shànghǎi?
• English: When did you decide to leave for Shanghai?
• Analysis: A standard question about travel plans. Note the structure: `出发` is followed by `去 (qù)` + [destination].
• Example 4:
• 他们昨天早上已经出发了。
• Pinyin: Tāmen zuótiān zǎoshang yǐjīng chūfā le.
• English: They already set out yesterday morning.
• Analysis: `已经 (yǐjīng)` and `了 (le)` work together to indicate that the action of departing is completed and in the past.
• Example 5:
• 我们的旅游团准备出发了。
• Pinyin: Wǒmen de lǚyóu tuán zhǔnbèi chūfā le.
• English: Our tour group is ready to set off.
• Analysis: `准备…了 (zhǔnbèi…le)` is a common pattern indicating “is ready to…” or “is about to…”.
• Example 6:
• 做任何事，都要从一个好的动机出发。
• Pinyin: Zuò rèn 何 shì, dōu yào cóng yīgè hǎo de dòngjī chūfā.
• English: When doing anything, you must start from a good motive.
• Analysis: This is a key metaphorical usage. The pattern `从…出发 (cóng…chūfā)` means “to start from…” or “to be based on…”. Here, it's about one's intention.
• Example 7:
• 出发前，请再次检查您的行李。
• Pinyin: Chūfā qián, qǐng zàicì jiǎnchá nín de xínglǐ.
• English: Before departing, please check your luggage again.
• Analysis: `出发前 (chūfā qián)` means “before setting out.” This is a very useful construction for giving travel advice.
• Example 8:
• 我们开车出发，大概三个小时就能到。
• Pinyin: Wǒmen kāichē chūfā, dàgài sān ge xiǎoshí jiù néng dào.
• English: If we set off by car, we can arrive in about three hours.
• Analysis: Shows how `出发` can be combined with other verbs like `开车 (kāichē)` to specify the mode of travel.
• Example 9:
• 他是清晨五点出发的。
• Pinyin: Tā shì qīngchén wǔ diǎn chūfā de.
• English: He set out at five in the morning.
• Analysis: The `是…的 (shì…de)` structure is used here to emphasize the time of the departure.
• Example 10:
• 别担心，大部队很快就会出发。
• Pinyin: Bié dānxīn, dà bùduì hěn kuài jiù huì chūfā.
• English: Don't worry, the main group will set out very soon.
• Analysis: `大部队 (dà bùduì)` literally means “main troops” but is often used informally to mean “the main group of people.” `很快就会 (hěn kuài jiù huì)` means “will very soon.”

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 出发 (chūfā) and 离开 (líkāi).

• 出发 (chūfā): Focuses on the start of a journey towards a destination. It has a sense of purpose and forward direction.
  • Correct: 我们明天出发去北京。(Wǒmen míngtiān chūfā qù Běijīng.) - We are setting out for Beijing tomorrow.
• 离开 (líkāi): Focuses on the act of moving away from a location, person, or thing. It emphasizes what is being left behind.
  • Correct: 我下午五点离开公司。(Wǒ xiàwǔ wǔ diǎn líkāi gōngsī.) - I leave the office at 5 PM.

Common Mistake: Using 出发 (chūfā) when you mean to simply leave a small, immediate space.

• Incorrect: 我要出发这个房间。 (Wǒ yào chūfā zhège fángjiān.)
• Why it's wrong: You aren't starting a “journey” from the room, you are simply “leaving” it.
• Correct: 我要离开这个房间。 (Wǒ yào líkāi zhège fángjiān.) - I need to leave this room.

Think of it this way: You 离开 (líkāi) your house to 出发 (chūfā) on your vacation.

• 离开 (líkāi) - To leave (a place); to be away from. The conceptual opposite of 出发, as it focuses on leaving *from* a place rather than setting out *to* one.
• 启程 (qǐchéng) - To set out on a journey. A more formal and literary synonym for 出发. You'd see this in writing more than hear it in casual conversation.
• 动身 (dòngshēn) - To set out; to go on a journey. A close synonym for 出发, literally meaning “to move one's body.” It's slightly more informal.
• 出发点 (chūfādiǎn) - Starting point. This can be a literal place (e.g., the starting point of a race) or a metaphorical one (e.g., the starting point of an argument).
• 到达 (dàodá) - To arrive; to reach. The direct antonym of 出发. It marks the end of the journey.
• 走 (zǒu) - To go; to walk; to leave. A much more general and often very informal verb. You can say “我们走吧 (wǒmen zǒu ba)” which is very similar to “我们出发吧 (wǒmen chūfā ba)”.
• 上路 (shàng lù) - To get on the road; to start a journey. An informal synonym that literally means “to get on the road.”