开采 kāicǎi to extract
to extract (ore or other resource from a mine); to exploit; to mine
How to remember 开采: 开 open + 采 pick = to extract.
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How it is used
- To mine or extract natural resources - 开采石油 (kāicǎi shíyóu) to extract oil; 开采煤矿 (kāicǎi méikuàng) to mine coal.
- Technical/industrial term reserved for ore, oil, gas, minerals; pairs with 资源 (zīyuán, resources), 矿 (kuàng, mine).
- Not used for harvesting crops or picking (that's 采 alone or 采摘 cǎizhāi).