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发掘 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
发掘fājuéto excavateHSK 7, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #6096, Very Hard
发掘fājuéto exploreHSK 7, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #6096, Very Hard
发掘fājué(fig.) to unearthHSK 7, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #6096, Very Hard
发掘fājuéto tap intoHSK 7, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #6096, Very Hard
fājué(fa1jue2)fa jue T1
  1. 1to excavate
  2. 2to explore
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March 24, 2026

发掘(發掘)fājué(fa1jue2)

发掘 means to excavate or explore, often used in both literal and metaphorical contexts. It can refer to digging up artifacts in archaeology or discovering hidden talents and opportunities in people or situations.

Strokes16Frequency#6096DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture,发掘 is often associated with the importance of uncovering hidden talents or opportunities, reflecting a belief in personal growth and development, akin to the reverence for historical artifacts unearthed from the ground.

Memory tip

Imagine a miner (发) digging (掘) into the earth to uncover treasures. The character 发 looks like a miner's pickaxe, while 掘 resembles the motion of digging down into the ground, emphasizing the act of uncovering something valuable.

Meanings of 发掘

fājué(fa1jue2)
1to excavate
2to explore
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About 发掘

发掘Simplified
發掘Traditional
16Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

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AI study notes for 发掘

Quick Contrast

探索 (tànsuǒ) vs 发掘 (fājué): use 发掘 when emphasizing uncovering something that was hidden, while 探索 focuses more on the act of exploring or searching.

Usage Notes

发掘 is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, often in discussions about personal development or archaeological findings. Be careful not to confuse it with similar verbs like 找到 (to find), which does not imply the same depth of exploration.

HSK Study Tips

Although 发掘 is not an HSK level word, it can be useful for learners at HSK 4 and above to describe processes of discovery or exploration. Students should focus on using it in both concrete and abstract contexts to enhance their vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 发掘 with 探索 (to explore) but should note that 发掘 implies a more active and purposeful uncovering. For example, saying '我发掘这个地方' (I excavate this place) is incorrect; it should be '我探索这个地方' (I explore this place).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 发掘

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Component characters

发fāto send out
HSK 35 strokes又
View full entry
掘juéto dig
HSK 711 strokes扌
View full entry

How to say to excavate in Chinese

“to excavate” in Chinese is发掘fājué

发掘 means to excavate or explore, often used in both literal and metaphorical contexts. It can refer to digging up artifacts in archaeology or discovering hidden talents and opportunities in people or situations.

When to use 发掘

发掘 is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, often in discussions about personal development or archaeological findings. Be careful not to confuse it with similar verbs like 找到 (to find), which does not imply the same depth of exploration.

发掘 or something close to it

探索 (tànsuǒ) vs 发掘 (fājué): use 发掘 when emphasizing uncovering something that was hidden, while 探索 focuses more on the act of exploring or searching.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 发掘 with 探索 (to explore) but should note that 发掘 implies a more active and purposeful uncovering. For example, saying '我发掘这个地方' (I excavate this place) is incorrect; it should be '我探索这个地方' (I explore this place).

Write 发掘

发
掘

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Cultural Notes for 发掘

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

Unlike in Western cultures where 'to explore' can imply adventure or travel, in Chinese, 发掘 carries a deeper connotation of thorough investigation and discovery, often in a more introspective or analytical manner.

Frequently asked questions about 发掘

发掘 implies a deeper exploration or uncovering, while 找到 simply means to find something.

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