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道Nihongo Path
拓

拓·clear (the land), open, break up (land)

On-yomi
たく
Kun-yomi
ひら.く

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
開拓かいたくreclamation, opening up, pioneering
開拓者かいたくしゃpioneer
干拓かんたくland reclamation from the sea
拓本たくほんrubbing taken from an inscription

Example sentences

  1. 会社は新しい市場を開拓している。

    かいしゃはあたらしいしじょうをかいたくしている。

    The company is opening up new markets.

  2. 祖父は北海道の土地を開拓した。

    そふはほっかいどうのとちをかいたくした。

    My grandfather brought land in Hokkaido under cultivation.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • 開拓 is used figuratively too: 販路を開拓する = open up new sales channels.
  • 干拓 (かんたく, reclaiming land from the sea) is not the same as 開拓.

Memory aid

Picture it

Hand 扌 with stone 石: clearing the stones out of a field by hand to open up new land.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 拓 mean?