発掘する

• Reading: はっくつする
• Romaji: hakkutsu suru
• Kanji breakdown: 発 (hatsu) — emit, produce; 掘 (kutsu) — dig, excavate
• Pronunciation: /hak.kɯ.tsɯ.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To excavate; to unearth or dig up buried objects, ruins, or hidden talent.

A Group 3 (suru) compound verb combining 発掘 (excavation/unearthing) with する. Used both literally for archaeological digs and figuratively for discovering hidden talent or overlooked resources. Common collocations include 遺跡を発掘する (excavate ruins) and 才能を発掘する (discover talent).

Examples

1. この遺跡からは古代の土器が発掘された。 Ancient pottery was excavated from this ruins site.
2. プロデューサーは新しい才能を発掘するのが得意だ。 The producer is skilled at discovering new talent.
3. 建設現場で珍しい化石が発掘されて話題になった。 A rare fossil was uncovered at a construction site, causing a buzz.

Usage Guide

Context: archaeology, talent scouting, construction, history

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 発 (hatsu, to emit/produce) + 掘 (kutsu, to dig). Literally 'to bring out by digging,' describing the uncovering of something buried.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Educated