1.
to emit, to give off
To produce or send out light, heat, sound, smell, or other physical phenomena.
ホタルが光を発する。
Fireflies emit light.
この花は強い香りを発する。
This flower gives off a strong fragrance.
太陽は膨大なエネルギーを発して地球を照らしている。
The sun emits enormous energy and illuminates the earth.
2.
to issue, to announce
To officially put out a statement, order, or warning.
政府が声明を発した。
The government issued a statement.
気象庁が警報を発した。
The meteorological agency issued a warning.
社長は全社員に向けて緊急の指示を発した。
The president issued urgent instructions to all employees.
USAGE:
This is a literary/formal verb. In everyday speech, 出す is more common for sense 1, and 出す or 発表する for sense 2. 発する appears frequently in news, academic writing, and formal contexts.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 光を発する: to emit light
- 熱を発する: to give off heat
- 声明を発する: to issue a statement
- 命令を発する: to issue an order
- 警報を発する: to issue a warning
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 放つ: to release, to emit (also literary, but emphasizes sending outward)
- 出す: to put out, to produce (everyday equivalent)