verb HSK 4
Traditional 開發
kāi
to develop · to exploit · to open up

Meaning

开发 means to develop or exploit resources, land, technology, or potential. It combines 开 (to open) and 发 (to release/develop), conveying the idea of opening up something for use or bringing its potential into reality. This word is commonly used in contexts like software development, real estate development, resource exploitation, and developing skills or markets.

Usage

开发 is a formal, professional term frequently used in business, technology, and economics. It often appears in compounds like 开发商 (developer), 开发区 (development zone), and 软件开发 (software development). While it can mean 'exploit' in the sense of utilizing resources, it doesn't carry the negative connotation that 'exploit' sometimes has in English.

Examples

  1. 01
    这家公司正在开发一款新的手机应用。
    Zhè jiā gōng zhèng zài kāi kuǎn xīn de shǒu yìng yòng.
    This company is developing a new mobile application.
  2. 02
    政府计划开发西部地区的自然资源。
    Zhèng huà kāi de rán yuán.
    The government plans to develop the natural resources of the western region.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 开发软件
    kāi ruǎn jiàn
    to develop software
  • 房地产开发
    fáng chǎn kāi
    real estate development
  • 开发
    kāi shāng
    developer
  • 开发潜力
    kāi qián
    to develop potential

Antonyms

Origin

The compound combines 开 (to open, initiate) with 发 (to expand, develop), literally suggesting 'to open and develop' something that was previously untapped or unused.

Related