Usage patterns 〈 事こと 〉 の 開かい 拓たく 者しゃ a pioneer of/in something (a field, industry, etc.)
He is a pioneer of the internet industry.
開かい 拓たく 者しゃ となる to become a pioneer
She became a pioneer in that field.
Kanji 拓 clear (the land), open, break up (land) Related words 先駆者 emphasizes being the very first to introduce ideas or trends, while 開拓者 emphasizes physically or figuratively opening up new territory or a field.
パイオニア is the loanword equivalent often used in business or technology contexts, while 開拓者 is the native Japanese term and can also refer literally to land settlers.
草分け is a more literary, traditional word for the founding figure in a field, while 開拓者 is a neutral, modern term usable for both literal settlers and figurative trailblazers.
Etymology Compound of 開拓 (reclamation, cultivation, pioneering) and 者 (person). The word is a straightforward Sino-Japanese formation.
Report an issue with this page
Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
