The Meaning of kaihatsu [開発] In Japanese

開発
かいはつ
Romaji: kaihatsu N3

What does 開発 mean?

Translation and Meaning

development, exploitation

Definition

開発 means development. It refers to the process of creating or improving products, services, or systems, including software development, infrastructure projects, or the exploration and utilization of resources.

Type

noun (名詞); suru-verb (開発する) forms a verb meaning to develop.

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Software development or product development as a discipline or project
  • Resource development or exploitation, such as land, minerals, or energy
  • Urban or regional development and modernization initiatives
  • Progress or advancement in a field or industry

Etymology

開 kai, 発 hatsu; combined as kaihatsu; in Sino-Japanese compounds the readings are chosen to create a single noun meaning development.

Origin

Introduced through Sino-Japanese vocabulary; earliest usage appears in formal texts and became common with Meiji-era modernization and industrial planning.

Composition

  • 開 open, to open; the core idea is making something accessible or startable
  • 発 launch, to begin; conveys initiating action leading to development

Usage

Used primarily as a noun to denote the process of development; can also refer to exploitation of resources; used with 開発する to form a verb; formal in written contexts; common in business, technology, urban planning, and policy discourse.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine opening a hatch to launch a rocket, pairing the meanings of kai (open) and hatsu (launch) to remember kaihatsu.

Variations

  • 発展 — hatten
  • 開拓 — kaitaku
  • 資源開発 — shigen kaihatsu
  • 発達 — hattatsu

Example Phrases

  • 今日は新しいアプリの開発を友人と進める。
    Kyou wa atarashii apuri no kaihatsu o tomodachi to susumeru.
    Today I’m working with a friend on developing a new app.
    Lista:
    • 今日は (kyou wa) – today
    • 新しい (atarashii) – new
    • アプリ (apuri) – app
    • の (no) – of
    • 開発 (kaihatsu) – development
    • を (o) – object marker
    • 友人と (tomodachi to) – with a friend
    • 進める (susumeru) – advance
    The core point: 「開発」 is a noun meaning development; here it functions as the direct object of 進める, marked by を.
開発