开拓

• Pinyin: kāi tuò
• Hanzi breakdown: 开 = to open; 拓 = 扌(hand) + 石 (stone) — to push open, expand

Meaning

To pioneer; to develop; to expand; to break new ground.

Refers to expanding into new areas or developing new possibilities — markets, territories, fields of work. Implies active, entrepreneurial effort. Very common in business and personal development contexts. Collocates with 市场 (market), 视野 (vision), 创新 (innovation), 精神 (spirit).

Examples

1. 公司正努力开拓东南亚市场，今年计划在越南设立分公司。 The company is working hard to develop the Southeast Asian market and plans to establish a subsidiary in Vietnam this year.
2. 年轻人要有开拓创新的精神，不要总是墨守成规。 Young people should have a pioneering and innovative spirit — don't always stick to convention.
3. 他用十年时间在这个领域开拓出一片天地，成为了业界权威。 He spent ten years carving out a niche in this field and became an industry authority.

Usage Guide

Context: business, personal growth, innovation

Tone: positive

Do Say

• 我们要积极开拓新业务。(We should actively develop new business.)
• 开拓视野对个人成长很重要。(Broadening your horizons is important for personal growth.)

Don't Say

• 我开拓了一个包裹。(开拓 is for expanding into new areas — for opening packages, use 打开 or 拆开)

Origin & History

开 (to open) + 拓 (to expand, open up). To open up and expand.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal