発掘（はっくつ、haっkutsu）
- excavation

The Japanese word 発掘 (はっくつ) means "excavation," "to excavate," "to unearth," or "to discover." It generally refers to the act of digging up something, often something hidden underground, or finding something valuable or interesting. It can be used in both literal and figurative senses. ⚫︎ In its literal sense, it is used for archaeological digs or the excavation of buried objects. ⚫︎ In its figurative sense, it can mean discovering something new, revealing a hidden talent, or uncovering information.

⚫︎ 遺跡を発掘する。 Translation: To excavate a historical site. ⚫︎ 才能を発掘する。 Translation: To discover a talent. ⚫︎ 古い文献から重要な事実を発掘した。 Translation: They unearthed an important fact from old documents.

You use 発掘 in situations where you are talking about digging up something, whether it be a physical object or some information or talent. ⚫︎ When discussing archaeological work, you would use 発掘. ⚫︎ When talking about finding a hidden talent in someone, you can also use 発掘. ⚫︎ When referring to uncovering information or revealing secrets, 発掘 is an appropriate word to use.

発掘 is typically written in kanji 発掘, but can be written in hiragana はっくつ for beginners. The okurigana (送りがな, suffix hiragana) is usually just 掘. There are no other ways to write this word. The kanji 発 means "to start, to send out, to disclose", and 掘 means "to dig, to excavate".

⚫︎ 掘り出す (ほりだす) - to dig out, to unearth ⚫︎ 掘削 (くっさく) - excavation (more technical) ⚫︎ 発見 (はっけん) - discovery ⚫︎ 探す (さがす) - to search for

⚫︎ 埋める (うめる) - to bury ⚫︎ 隠す (かくす) - to hide ⚫︎ 失う (うしなう) - to lose

考古学者は古代の都市を発掘した。 ・Translation: The archaeologists excavated an ancient city. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 発掘 in its literal sense, describing the act of digging up and revealing a physical place.

その学校は生徒の潜在能力を発掘することに力を入れている。 ・Translation: That school is focusing on uncovering the hidden potential of its students. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 発掘 in a figurative sense to mean finding or discovering something that already exists but is not immediately obvious.

The word 発掘 is a combination of two kanji: 発 (はつ/はっ, meaning "to start, to send out") and 掘 (くつ/ほり, meaning "to dig"). Therefore, the word 発掘 literally means "to dig out and reveal."