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筑 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
筑zhùshort name for Guiyang 貴陽HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #12993, Hard
筑zhù>贵阳[Guì yáng]HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #12993, Hard
筑zhùfive-string luteHSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #12993, Hard
筑zhùTaiwan pr. [zhú]HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #12993, Hard
筑zhùto buildHSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #12993, Hard
筑zhùto constructHSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #12993, Hard
筑zhùto ramHSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #12993, Hard
筑zhùto hitHSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #12993, Hard
筑zhùbuilding; a five-string luteHSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #12993, Hard
筑zhùshort name for Guiyang 貴陽|贵阳[Gui4 yang2]HSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #12993, Hard, transitive
筑zhùTaiwan pr. [zhu2]HSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #12993, Hard
zhù(Zhu4) T4
  1. 1short name for Guiyang 貴陽
  2. 2>贵阳[Guì yáng]
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
筑(築)zhù(Zhu4)

The character 筑 (zhù) primarily means 'to build' or 'to construct.' It is commonly used in contexts related to architecture and construction projects. Additionally, it can refer to the act of ramming or hitting, often in the context of solidifying material.

Strokes12Radical⺮Frequency#12993DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, construction and building are often associated with stability and prosperity. The ancient practice of building strong structures reflects values of durability and quality, which are highly regarded in Chinese society.

Memory Tip

Imagine a sturdy structure being built with wooden beams (the radical '竹' for bamboo, suggesting strength) and imagine the sound of a hammer hitting nails as you 'zhù' your way to a solid construction. Visualize a five-string lute being built, connecting the idea of craftsmanship to the character.

Meanings of 筑

zhù(Zhu4)
1short name for Guiyang 貴陽
2five-string lute
Exercise 1 of 3

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 筑

筑Simplified
築Traditional
12Strokes
⺮Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#12993Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 筑

JasonAmy

Podcast: 筑

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 筑

Quick Contrast

构 (gòu) - use 筑 (zhù) when referring specifically to building or constructing with a focus on the physical act, while 构 (gòu) is broader and can imply forming or establishing in a more abstract sense.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a sturdy structure being built with wooden beams (the radical '竹' for bamboo, suggesting strength) and imagine the sound of a hammer hitting nails as you 'zhù' your way to a solid construction. Visualize a five-string lute being built, connecting the idea of craftsmanship to the character.

Usage Notes

This character is often used in formal contexts related to construction and architecture. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters; ensure you use the correct tone (4th tone) when pronouncing it. Common collocations include 筑路 (to build a road) and 筑巢 (to build a nest).

HSK Study Tips

While 筑 is not included in the official HSK levels, it is beneficial for learners at HSK 4 and above, especially those interested in vocabulary related to construction and craftsmanship. Focus on how it connects to verbs like 建 (jiàn, to build) and 造 (zào, to create).

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, construction and building are often associated with stability and prosperity. The ancient practice of building strong structures reflects values of durability and quality, which are highly regarded in Chinese society.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 筑 (zhù) with 壮 (zhuàng), which means 'to strengthen' or 'to build up.' For example, saying '我想壮一个房子' (I want to strengthen a house) instead of '我想筑一个房子' (I want to build a house) is incorrect. Remember to use 筑 for construction-related contexts.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 筑

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Etymology of 筑

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

A strong  巩 bamboo ⺮ building; ⺮ also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 筑?

Decomposition of 筑

IDS Structure⿱⺮巩
筑Full Character
=
⺮zhu2
top
巩gong3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 筑?

Write 筑

筑

Practice writing 筑 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 筑

筑 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 11 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.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

这里的建____高的高，低的低，不太整齐。

The buildings here are some tall, some short — not very orderly.

Common Confusions with 筑

筑vs祝
zhù

Same pronunciation but different meaning.

筑vs驻
zhù

Similar pronunciation with different meaning.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "short name for Guiyang 貴陽"?

or

Example Sentences for 筑 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
如果潮湿发霉的建筑令你生病了，霉菌很可能是病因。

rú guǒ cháo shī fā méi de jiàn zhù líng nǐ shēng bìng le， ， méi jūn hěn kě néng shì bìng。

If damp, musty buildings make you ill, mould is probably the cause.
2
建筑业不再像以往那样萧条了。

jiàn zhù yè bù zài xiàng yǐ wǎng nà yàng xiāo tiáo le。

The construction industry is no longer as depressed as it was.
3
叛军屡次尝试强攻这座建筑。

pàn jūn lǚ cì cháng shì qiáng gōng zhè zuò jiàn zhù。

The rebel soldiers tried repeatedly to storm the building.
4
这座宫殿完全是各种建筑风格的大杂烩。

zhè zuò gōng diàn wán quán shì gè zhǒng jiàn zhù fēng gé de dà zá huì。

The palace is a complete hotch-potch of architectural styles.
5
这两座建筑物体现了爱尔兰建筑风格的极致多变。

zhè liǎng zuò jiàn zhù wù tǐ xiàn le ài ěr lán jiàn zhù fēng gé de jí zhì duō biàn。

These two buildings typify the rich extremes of Irish architecture.
6
休闲中心是一个狭长而低矮的现代建筑。

xiū xián zhōng xīn shì yī gè xiá cháng ér dī ǎi de xiàn dài jiàn zhù。

The Leisure Center is a long and low modern building.
7
原来，他租住的那栋建筑是一座教堂。

yuán lái， ， tā zū zhù de nà dòng jiàn zhù shì yī zuò jiào。

The building he was lodged in turned out to be a church.
8
建筑工人在8根细柱上架起轻巧的混凝土穹顶。

jiàn zhù gōng rén zài8 8 gēn xì zhù shàng jià qǐ qīng qiǎo de hùn níng tǔ qióng。

The builders have perched a light concrete dome on eight slender columns.
9
突如其来的一声巨响在建筑物间回荡着，震碎了玻璃。

tū rú qí lái de yī shēng jù xiǎng zài jiàn zhù wù jiān huí dàng zháo， ， zhèn suì le bō。

The bang came suddenly, echoing across the buildings, shattering glass.
10
仍有大约40名囚犯被困在严重损毁的建筑物中。

réng yǒu dà yuē40 40 míng qiú fàn bèi kùn zài yán zhòng sǔn huǐ de jiàn zhù wù。

About forty prisoners are still barricaded inside the wrecked buildings.

Cultural Notes for 筑

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, construction and building are often associated with stability and prosperity. The ancient practice of building strong structures reflects values of durability and quality, which are highly regarded in Chinese society.

Word Family of 筑

Compounds1
築zhu4building; a five-string lute
Words Containing This Character12
建筑jiànzhùto construct建築
建筑物jiànzhùwùbuilding建築物
建筑师jiànzhùshīarchitect建築師
筑zhùto build築
构筑to build構築
建筑业building industry建築業
建筑学architectural建築學
建筑群building complex建築群
修筑to build修築
上层建筑superstructure上層建築
债台高筑lit. build a high desk of debt (idiom); heavily in debt債臺高築
安徽建筑工业学院Anhui University of Architecture安徽建築工業學院
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 築 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 筑

Common phrases include 筑巢 (to build a nest) and 筑路 (to build a road). These phrases highlight the practical applications of the verb in everyday contexts.