出发 chū fā
“to set off; to start (on a journey)”
verbHSK 4 · 2021 list level 2Traditional 出發
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
出发 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 562: 出发 chūfā — Level 3; official annotation 3 (动). PDF page 94
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 出发
出发 means to set off or start a journey. It is an intransitive verb often used with a time or place context. If you mention the destination, use 出发去 + place, or 从 + place + 出发.
例句Example sentences
- 我们明天早上八点出发。wǒ men míng tiān zǎo shàng bā diǎn chū fā.We will set off at eight tomorrow morning.
- 火车就要出发了，快上车吧。huǒ chē jiù yào chū fā le, kuài shàng chē ba.The train is about to leave, so get on quickly.
- 你什么时候出发去北京？nǐ shén me shí hou chū fā qù běi jīng?When are you setting off for Beijing?
常见错误Common mistakes
-
✗我们明天出发北京。
✓我们明天出发去北京。
出发 is intransitive and cannot take a destination as a direct object; use 出发去 + place.