noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
uncivilized; primitive; savage
Used of societies, cultures, or people judged as lacking so-called civilization; when applied to people or cultures, it often sounds dated, condescending, or discriminatory.
Colonial-era records portray the local people as uncivilized.
「未開の社会」という表現は、相手を見下す響きが強い。
The expression “uncivilized society” has a strongly condescending tone.
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
undeveloped; unexplored; uncharted
Used for land, territory, or a field of inquiry that has not yet been developed, explored, or fully opened up.
探検隊は未開の地に足を踏み入れた。
The expedition set foot in unexplored territory.
この研究にはまだ未開の領域が多い。
This research still has many unexplored areas.
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
unbloomed; not yet open
Rare literal use for a flower that has not yet opened; in ordinary modern wording, つぼみ or 未開花 may be clearer.
植物図鑑では、「未開の花」はまだ咲いていない花を指す。
In a botanical guide, “unopened flower” refers to a flower that has not yet bloomed.
The interior of that island is still unexplored territory.
The book describes the customs of a so-called primitive society.
This technology is still an unexplored field.
未開 describes a flower that has not yet opened, while 満開 describes a flower in full bloom.
unopened; sealed
primitive society
primitive and barbarous; uncivilized and barbaric