Usage note
“出发”用来表示开始行动或旅行。
chūfā lái zěnme yòng de biǎo shì kāishǐ háng dòng huò lǚ xíng。
"出发" is used to indicate the beginning of an action or a trip.
Context note
“出发”常用于日常生活中，比如去学校、旅行或参加活动时。
chūfā cháng yòng yú rì cháng shēnghuó zhōng, bǐrú qù xuéxiào、lǚxíng huò cānjiā huódòng shí。
"出发" is commonly used in daily life, such as when going to school, traveling, or participating in activities.
5 examples
今天早上我们出发去公园。
jīn tiān zǎo shàng wǒ men chū fā qù gōng yuán。
This morning we set off to the park.
他明天出发去北京。
tā míng tiān chū fā qù běi jīng。
He is setting off for Beijing tomorrow.
我们出发前检查了行李。
wǒ men chū fā qián jiǎn chá le xíng li。
We checked our luggage before we set off.
老师让我们今天下午出发去图书馆。
lǎo shī ràng wǒ men jīn tiān xià wǔ chū fā qù tú shū guǎn。
The teacher told us to set off for the library this afternoon.
出发前要记得带伞。
chū fā qián yào jì de dài sǎn。
Remember to bring an umbrella before you set off.
5 mini stories
小明今天早上出发去学校，路上遇到了好朋友。
xiǎo míng jīn tiān zǎo shàng chū fā qù xué xiào， lù shang yù dào le hǎo péng yǒu。
Xiaoming set off for school this morning and met a good friend on the way.
妈妈告诉小华明天出发去旅行，要带好东西。
mā ma gào sù xiǎo huá míng tiān chū fā qù lǚ xíng， yào dài hǎo dōng xī。
Mom told Xiaohua to set off for a trip tomorrow and to bring everything.
爸爸出发去出差，妈妈在家里等他回来。
bà ba chū fā qù chū chāi， mā ma zài jiā lǐ děng tā huí lái。
Dad set off for a business trip and Mom waited at home for him to come back.
小红和朋友们出发去野餐，天气很好。
xiǎo hóng hé péng yǒu men chū fā qù yě cān， tiān qì hěn hǎo。
Xiaohong and her friends set off for a picnic; the weather was very nice.
出发前要检查好所有的东西，不要忘记带东西。
chū fā qián yào jiǎn chá hǎo suǒ yǒu de dōng xī， bú yào wàng jì dài dōng xī。
Make sure to check all your things before you set off; don't forget to bring them.
Mini dialogue
准备出发
A
你准备好了吗？我们要出发了。
Nǐ zhǔnbèi hǎo le ma? Wǒmen yào chūfā le.
Are you ready? We are about to set off.
B
等一下，我拿上书包就出发。
Děng yīxià, wǒ ná shàng shūbāo jiù chūfā.
Wait a moment, I'll grab my schoolbag and then set off.
几点出发
A
我们明天几点出发去公园？
Wǒmen míngtiān jǐ diǎn chūfā qù gōngyuán?
What time do we set off for the park tomorrow?
B
早上八点出发，别迟到哦。
Zǎoshang bā diǎn chūfā, bié chídào o.
We set off at 8 in the morning, don't be late.
Related words and contrasts
opposite
到达
dàodá
to arrive
出发 means to set off, 到达 means to arrive at a place.
similar
离开
líkāi
to leave
Both mean to go away from a place. 出发 is often for a trip.