Translation guide
The English word "development" covers a wide range of meanings, from growth and progress to creation and real estate. This guide breaks down the most common uses for learners and provides natural Japanese equivalents.
To talk about gradual improvement, advancement, or expansion over time.
General term for development, growth, or expansion. Used for countries, cities, businesses, technology, etc.
この町は急速に発展している。
This town is developing rapidly.
経済発展は重要だ。
Economic development is important.
Often used for physical, mental, or skill development. Implies reaching a more advanced or mature state.
子どもの言語発達は早い。
Children's language development is fast.
技術が発達した。
Technology has developed.
Focuses on growth, often in size, scale, or personal maturity. Common for personal development, economic growth, and child development.
自己成長のために勉強する。
I study for self-development.
経済成長率が上がった。
The economic growth rate increased.
Primarily means 'development' in the sense of creating or exploiting resources, land, or products. Can overlap with 'growth' in some contexts but is more about active creation.
新製品の開発に時間がかかる。
Development of new products takes time.
To talk about the process of making, designing, or building something from scratch.
The standard term for development of products, software, systems, drugs, etc. Implies a planned, often technical process.
アプリの開発をしています。
I'm developing an app.
新薬の開発には何年もかかる。
Development of a new drug takes many years.
Used for creative works like films, games, art. Emphasizes the production aspect.
To talk about turning land into housing, commercial areas, etc.
The standard term for land or real estate development. Often used in compounds like 宅地開発 (residential development).
この地域は大規模な開発が計画されている。
Large-scale development is planned for this area.
開発業者が土地を買い占めた。
Developers bought up the land.
Redevelopment, often of urban areas.
To talk about a recent occurrence or update, often in news or stories.
Progress or development in a situation. Often used in news or formal contexts.
事件に新たな進展があった。
There was a new development in the case.
Unfolding or development of events, often in a story or situation.
Movement or development in a situation, often used in business or politics.
To talk about developing oneself, one's abilities, or character.
Personal growth, maturity. Often used for children or self-improvement.
彼は人間的に大きく成長した。
He has developed greatly as a person.
Self-development, self-improvement. Often used in the context of training or education.
Skill development, often in a professional context.
社員の能力開発に力を入れている。
We focus on employee development.
To talk about developing film or photos.
The technical term for developing photographic film.
フィルムを現像に出した。
I had the film developed.
発展 (hatten) is for abstract growth or expansion (economy, town). 発達 (hattatsu) is for maturation or advancement of abilities, body, or technology. 開発 (kaihatsu) is for active creation or exploitation (products, land, resources).
While 開発 can mean development, it is not used for personal or emotional growth. Use 成長 or 発達 instead.
映画の制作が始まった。
Development of the movie has begun.
To build up or create something through effort. More colloquial than 開発.
新しいシステムを作り上げた。
We developed a new system.
駅前の再開発が進んでいる。
Redevelopment of the station area is progressing.
物語の展開が面白い。
The development of the story is interesting.
市場の動きに注目している。
I'm watching market developments.
自己啓発のために本を読む。
I read books for self-development.