开采

• Pinyin: kāi cǎi
• Hanzi breakdown: 开 = to open; 采 = hand (爫) picking from a tree (木) — to gather, extract

Meaning

To mine; to extract; to exploit (natural resources).

Refers to the extraction of natural resources from the earth — minerals, oil, gas, coal, etc. A key term in energy, mining, and environmental discussions. Often appears in news about resource development, environmental impact, and industrial policy. Collocates with 石油 (oil), 煤炭 (coal), 矿产 (minerals), 资源 (resources).

Examples

1. 这片海域发现了丰富的油气资源，多家能源公司正在申请开采权。 Rich oil and gas resources have been discovered in this sea area — multiple energy companies are applying for extraction rights.
2. 过度开采地下水导致地面沉降，已经影响到居民的房屋安全。 Excessive extraction of groundwater has caused land subsidence, already affecting the safety of residents' homes.
3. 政府收紧了稀土开采的审批，加强了对非法采矿的打击力度。 The government has tightened approvals for rare earth mining and intensified crackdowns on illegal mining.

Usage Guide

Context: mining, energy, environment, news

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 该矿区已开采了近五十年。(This mining area has been exploited for nearly fifty years.)
• 海洋石油开采需要先进的技术设备。(Offshore oil extraction requires advanced technical equipment.)

Don't Say

• 我去开采苹果。(开采 is for mining/extracting from the earth — for picking fruit, use 采摘 or 摘)

Origin & History

开 (to open) + 采 (to pick, gather, extract). To open up and extract resources.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal