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March 24, 2026
开发(開發)kāifā(kai1fa1)
开发 (kāi fā) means to develop or exploit resources, often in a commercial or technological context. It is commonly used when discussing economic development, real estate projects, or software creation, indicating the process of opening up new possibilities or utilizing existing resources more efficiently.
Frequency#5579DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
开发 is frequently encountered in discussions about China's rapid modernization and urban development, especially in the context of regions that have been opened for investment and growth since the economic reforms.
Memory Tip
Think of 开 (kāi) as 'to open' and 发 (fā) as 'to send forth.' Imagine opening a treasure chest and sending forth its riches into the world. The character's components depict the action of opening up and thus relate to the concept of development.
Meanings of 开发
kāifā(kai1fa1)
1to exploit (a resource)
2to open up (for development)
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 开发
开发Simplified
開發Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#5579Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 开发
Podcast: 开发
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AI Study Notes for 开发
Quick Contrast
开发 (kāifā) vs 发展 (fāzhǎn) — use 开发 when focusing on the act of developing resources or technology, while 发展 emphasizes the broader concept of growth or advancement.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 开 (kāi) as 'to open' and 发 (fā) as 'to send forth.' Imagine opening a treasure chest and sending forth its riches into the world. The character's components depict the action of opening up and thus relate to the concept of development.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is using 开发 in contexts where 'improve' would be more appropriate, as 开发 implies a more foundational change or initiation. This term is more formal, often applied in business or technical discussions. Be cautious with the tone; ensure both syllables are pronounced clearly to avoid confusion.
HSK Study Tips
As a HSK 5 word, 开发 connects well with other terms related to business and technology. Focus on understanding how it interacts with related verbs and nouns, such as 资源 (zī yuán, resources) and 创新 (chuàng xīn, innovation), to build a comprehensive vocabulary around development themes.
Cultural Note
开发 is frequently encountered in discussions about China's rapid modernization and urban development, especially in the context of regions that have been opened for investment and growth since the economic reforms.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 开发 by attaching it to non-resource contexts, such as saying '开发情感' (kāi fā qíng gǎn, develop emotions), which sounds awkward. Instead, use it for tangible resources or technologies.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 开发
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Grammar Patterns of 开发
开发 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
问题是要保护遗址免受房地产____商的侵占。
The problem was to safeguard sites from encroachment by property development.
Example Sentences for 开发 (10)
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1
问题是要保护遗址免受房地产开发商的侵占。
wèn tí shì yào bǎo hù yí zhǐ miǎn shòu fáng dì chǎn kāi fā shāng de qīn zhān。
The problem was to safeguard sites from encroachment by property development.
2
素食汉堡是一种迅速传到了英国的新开发食品。
sù shí hàn bǎo shì yī zhǒng xùn sù chuán dào le yīng guó de xīn kāi fā shí pǐn。
The vegetarian burger was an innovation which was rapidly exported to Britain.
3
土地开发主要集中在城市及周边地区。
tǔ dì kāi fā zhǔ yào jí zhōng zài chéng shì jí zhōu biān dì qū。
Most development has been concentrated in and around cities.
The required technology is probably still two years off.
10
1985年的联邦预算将73亿美元拨给了开发项目。
1985 1985 nián de lián bāng yù suàn73 jiāng 73 yì měi yuán bō gěi le kāi fā。
The 1985 federal budget allocated $3 billion for development programmes.
Cultural Notes for 开发
🏮Cultural insight
开发 is frequently encountered in discussions about China's rapid modernization and urban development, especially in the context of regions that have been opened for investment and growth since the economic reforms.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western contexts, 'development' may focus more on social or environmental aspects, while in Chinese contexts, it often emphasizes economic growth and resource exploitation.
Frequently Asked Questions about 开发
While it primarily refers to resource and economic development, it can be metaphorically applied to personal growth in a broader context.
开发 is commonly used in both written and spoken forms, especially in business discussions.
Phrases like 开发新产品 (kāi fā xīn chǎn pǐn, develop new products) or 开发潜力 (kāi fā qián lì, exploit potential) are frequently used.
