引发 (yǐn fā) — to cause; to trigger; to lead to

Definition

引发 (yǐnfā) means 'to trigger, to spark' — it emphasizes that something sets off a chain reaction or event, often with a sense of initiation. Compared to 引起 (yǐnqǐ), which is a general 'cause', 引发 is more about the starting point of a process; compared to 导致 (dǎozhì), which focuses on a negative result, 引发 is neutral and can be positive or negative.

verb

to causeto triggerto lead to

Examples

引发。
Tā de bú dàng yánlùn yǐn fā le zhòng nù.
His inappropriate remarks triggered public outrage.
引发。
Zhè xiàng xīn zhèngcè yǐn fā le guǎngfàn tǎolùn.
This new policy has sparked widespread discussion.
引发。
Yí jù wánxiào huà yǐn fā le yì chǎng wùhuì.
A joke led to a misunderstanding.

Browse more HSK 6 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.