发芽 fāyá to germinate
(of a seed) to germinate; (of a plant) to sprout; to bud; (figuratively) (of an idea or plan etc) to start to develop
How to remember 发芽: 发 send out + 芽 bud = to germinate.
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How it is used
- 'To germinate / sprout / bud' - of seeds and plants: 种子发芽 (zhǒngzi fāyá) the seed sprouts.
- Also figurative: an idea or plan beginning to take root and grow. The literal botanical sense is the core one.