HSK 7, unknown, 8 strokes, radical 木, rank #20033, Hard
构
gòu
to reach by stretching
HSK 7, unknown, 8 strokes, radical 木, rank #20033, Hard
gòu(gou4) T4
1to construct
2to form
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March 24, 2026
构(搆)gòu(gou4)
The character 构 (gòu) primarily means 'to construct' or 'to form.' It is often used in contexts involving building and creating, whether physically, like in architecture, or abstractly, such as composing ideas or literature. The nuance of this term can imply a sense of assembling different parts to create a whole.
Strokes8Radical木Frequency#20033DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of constructing is often associated with harmony and balance, particularly in architecture and city planning. The concept of 'constructing' extends to personal and social relationships, emphasizing the importance of building strong connections.
Memory Tip
Think of 构 (gòu) as a 'construction site' where the wood (木) radical represents trees or materials being put together to form a structure. Imagine a worker saying 'go!' (gòu) as they start building something important.
Meanings of 构
gòu(gou4)
1to construct
2to form
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 构
构Simplified
搆Traditional
8Strokes
木Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#20033Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 构
Podcast: 构
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AI Study Notes for 构
Quick Contrast
构 (gòu) vs 造 (zào) — use 构 when emphasizing assembling or forming parts, while 造 focuses more on the act of creating or manufacturing.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 构 (gòu) as a 'construction site' where the wood (木) radical represents trees or materials being put together to form a structure. Imagine a worker saying 'go!' (gòu) as they start building something important.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is to confuse 构 (gòu) with 造 (zào), which also means 'to create' but is more specific to making or manufacturing rather than assembling. This character is more formal and is often used in written language rather than casual conversation. Be cautious with tone; gòu is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone).
HSK Study Tips
Although 构 (gòu) is not part of the HSK standard vocabulary, it is useful for learners at HSK 4 and above. Students should focus on how it connects with other words related to construction and composition, expanding their vocabulary in these areas.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of constructing is often associated with harmony and balance, particularly in architecture and city planning. The concept of 'constructing' extends to personal and social relationships, emphasizing the importance of building strong connections.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 构 (gòu) with 组成 (zǔchéng), which means 'to compose' or 'to constitute.' A wrong example might be saying '我构这个项目' (wǒ gòu zhège xiàngmù) instead of '我组成这个项目' (wǒ zǔchéng zhège xiàngmù), as 构 is less appropriate in this context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 构
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Grammar Patterns of 构
构 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 9 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
The restructuring of the pattern of consumption in Britain also lagged behind.
Cultural Notes for 构
💡Did you know?
'构' is often used in construction-related contexts, reflecting the importance of architecture and building in Chinese culture. The character combines the radical for wood, indicating its connection to physical structures.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the act of constructing is often associated with harmony and balance, particularly in architecture and city planning. The concept of 'constructing' extends to personal and social relationships, emphasizing the importance of building strong connections.
Word Family of 构
Words Containing This Character20
机构jīgòumechanism機構
结构jiégòustructure結構
构成gòuchéngto form構成
虚构xūgòuto make up虛構
构建gòujiànto construct (sth abstract)構建
构思gòusīto design構思
构造gòuzàostructure構造
构想gòuxiǎngto conceive構想
构gòuto form構
架构to construct架構
构筑to build構築
结构性structural結構性
建构to set up建構
构图(art) composition構圖
重构to reconstruct重構
构件member構件
构架structure構架
慈善机构charity慈善機構
专门机构specialized agency專門機構
构型structure構型
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 机构 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 构
Common phrases with 构 (gòu) include '构思' (gòusī), which means 'to conceive an idea,' and '构造' (gòuzào), meaning 'to construct or form.' These phrases highlight the character's association with creation and composition.
构 (gòu) is the simplified version of 構 (kòu), which is used in traditional Chinese. Both characters share similar meanings related to construction and composition. However, the simplified version is primarily used in Mainland China, while the traditional version is more common in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
To use 构 (gòu) in a sentence, you might say '他正在构建一个新的项目' (Tā zhèngzài gòujiàn yīgè xīn de xiàngmù), meaning 'He is constructing a new project.' This illustrates its use in the context of building or creating.
构 (gòu) generally refers to the act of composing or constructing something. It can also mean to reach or stretch for something, and is a variant of the character 構 (kòu). In some contexts, it can refer to literary compositions or even the paper mulberry plant.
Common phrases include '构建' (gòujiàn) meaning 'to build' or 'to establish,' and '构思' (gòusī) meaning 'to conceive' or 'to plan.'
It is primarily used in written Chinese and formal contexts, rather than in everyday spoken language.
Yes, 构 (gòu) can refer to forming ideas or compositions, not just physical structures.
