未開(みかい)

みかい
noun, no-adjective
undeveloped; uncivilized; unexplored
descriptive
1. undeveloped; uncivilized; primitive
A state of not yet being developed or civilized. Historically used to describe societies or regions considered primitive, though this usage is now seen as problematic and ethnocentric.
未開(みかい)の地(ち)を探検(たんけん)する。
To explore uncharted land.
かつて「未開(みかい)」と呼(よ)ばれた文化(ぶんか)にも豊(ゆた)かな知恵(ちえ)がある。
Cultures once called 'uncivilized' also have rich wisdom.
2. unexplored; untapped; undeveloped
Not yet explored, utilized, or developed. Used for land, resources, markets, or fields of study that have potential but remain untouched.
未開(みかい)の地(ち)を探検(たんけん)する。
To explore uncharted land.
未開(みかい)の森(もり)にはまだ発見(はっけん)されていない生物(せいぶつ)がいるかもしれない。
There may be undiscovered organisms in unexplored forests.
この分野(ぶんや)はまだ未開拓(みかいたく)だ。
This field is still unexplored.
深海(しんかい)は未開(みかい)のフロンティアと言(い)われている。
The deep sea is said to be an unexplored frontier.
未開(みかい)の市場(しじょう)に参入(さんにゅう)するチャンスだ。
It's a chance to enter an untapped market.

When referring to peoples or cultures, 未開(みかい) carries colonial-era connotations and is considered offensive in modern usage. The "unexplored/untapped" sense (sense 2) remains common and neutral.

Common collocations

  • 未開(みかい)の地(ち) — unexplored land
  • 未開(みかい)の森(もり) — virgin forest
  • 未開拓(みかいたく) — undeveloped, unexploited
  • 未開(みかい)社会(しゃかい) — primitive society (dated/problematic)

Related words

Related Words

Related: 原始(げんし) (primitive, primeval)
Related: 開拓(かいたく) (pioneering, development)
Compare: 原始的(げんしてき) (primitive)
Related: 蛮族(ばんぞく) (barbarian tribe)
general
Added 2026.3.22 11:31 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
18000/18451_mikai