Meaning and Usage
"発展" (はってん) primarily means "development," "growth," or "progress." It is often used to describe economic, technological, or social advancement. The word carries a positive connotation of improvement and expansion.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see "発展" in contexts related to cities, countries, industries, and ideas. For example, "経済の発展" (economic development) or "技術の発展" (technological progress).
Collocations and Patterns
- 発展する: to develop or progress
- 発展途上: in the process of development (often used for countries or ideas)
- 経済発展: economic development
- 技術発展: technological advancement
Register and Nuance
"発展" is a neutral to formal word, suitable for written and spoken Japanese. It is commonly used in news, academic, and business contexts.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "発展" with "発見" (discovery). Remember, "発展" is about growth and progress, while "発見" means finding or discovering something new.