开展

• Pinyin: kāi zhǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 开 = simplified from 開, meaning to open; 展 = 尸 (body) + 𧝑, meaning to unfold or display

Meaning

To carry out; to launch; to develop. To initiate and conduct an activity, campaign, or programme.

A formal verb used for organised activities, campaigns, research, and programmes. More formal than 进行 and implies active initiation. Common collocations: 开展活动 (carry out activities), 开展工作 (carry out work), 开展研究 (conduct research), 开展合作 (develop cooperation).

Examples

1. 学校开展了一次环保活动。 The school launched an environmental protection campaign.
2. 我们正在开展一个新的研究项目。 We are carrying out a new research project.
3. 两家公司决定开展合作。 The two companies decided to develop cooperation.

Usage Guide

Context: official, workplace, academic

Tone: professional

Do Say

• 公司计划开展新业务。(The company plans to launch new business operations.)
• 社区正在开展健康检查活动。(The community is carrying out a health check-up campaign.)

Don't Say

• 我开展了看电视。(Don't use 开展 for personal activities — it's for organised campaigns and programmes. Say 我开始看电视了.)

Origin & History

Compound of 开 (to open, to start) and 展 (to unfold, to develop). Together: 'to open and unfold' — to initiate and carry forward an activity.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal