発言（はつげん、hatsugen）
- remark

The Japanese word 発言 (はつげん) primarily means "remark," "statement," "utterance," or "speaking out." It refers to the act of expressing one's thoughts, opinions, or ideas verbally or in writing. It encompasses a wide range of communications, from casual comments to formal speeches. It can also refer to the content of what is said or written. The word itself implies an active process of expressing something, rather than a passive state.

⚫︎ 会議で重要な発言をする。 Translation: To make an important statement at the meeting. ⚫︎ 彼女の発言は議論を呼んだ。 Translation: Her remarks sparked a debate. ⚫︎ 彼は記者会見で詳細な発言をした。 Translation: He made detailed statements at the press conference.

⚫︎ 発言 is used in various contexts, including formal and informal situations. ⚫︎ It can describe what someone said, the act of speaking, or the content of the statement. ⚫︎ It's often used in news reports, political discussions, business meetings, and academic settings. ⚫︎ When discussing someone's 発言, the listener usually perceives them as important information.

⚫︎ The word 発言 is typically written in kanji, 発言. ⚫︎ The reading is はつげん in hiragana. ⚫︎ There are no significant variations in the okurigana.

⚫︎ 話 (はなし) - speech, talk, story. ⚫︎ 発話 (はつわ) - utterance, speech act. (more formal) ⚫︎ 発言 (はつげん) - remark, statement, utterance (more neutral). ⚫︎ 言葉 (ことば) - words, language. ⚫︎ 発信 (はっしん) - sending out (information), transmission.

⚫︎ 沈黙 (ちんもく) - silence. ⚫︎ 無言 (むごん) - silence, taciturnity. ⚫︎ 黙秘 (もくひ) - remaining silent, refusing to speak (e.g., in a legal context).

彼はその問題について重要な発言をした。 ・Translation: He made an important statement about that issue. ・Explanation: This sentence describes an individual expressing a significant opinion or thought.

社長の発言が会社の方向性を決定づけた。 ・Translation: The president's statement determined the company's direction. ・Explanation: This illustrates how a statement can have significant consequences.

The word 発言 (はつげん) is composed of two kanji: 発 (はつ), meaning "to start," "to set out," or "to emit," and 言 (げん/こと), meaning "word," "speech," or "statement." Therefore, the combination naturally implies "to put forth words" or "to make a statement".