面世 (miàn shì) — to be released, to be launched (of a new product, book, film, etc.)

Definition

A formal verb meaning 'be released / launched' — used for products, books, or films reaching the public. It is more written and literary than everyday 发布.

verb
to be releasedto be launched (of a new product, book, film, etc.)
Easily confused

Examples

  • 面世。
    Zhè běn xīn shū xià ge yuè miàn shì.
    This new book will be released next month.
  • ，。
    Nà kuǎn shǒu jī yǐ jīng miàn le shì, mài dé hěn hǎo.
    That phone model has already been released and sells well.
  • ，。
    Zhè ge chǎn pǐn miàn guò shì, dàn hěn kuài jiù tíng chǎn le.
    This product was released, but soon discontinued.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

面miànface
世shìworld

“面” means to face and “世” the world, so something faces the public.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

面 originally drew a man’s face, with one eye exaggerated; the horizontal stroke was added later.

Open 面 →

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 世 →

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