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建立 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
建立jiànlìto establishHSK 5, v, 13 strokes, rank #1918, Hard
建立jiànlìto set upHSK 5, v, 13 strokes, rank #1918, Hard
建立jiànlìto foundHSK 5, v, 13 strokes, rank #1918, Hard
jiànlì(jian4li4)jian li T4
  1. 1to establish
  2. 2to set up
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March 24, 2026

建立jiànlì(jian4li4)

建立 (jiànlì) means 'to establish' or 'to set up' in various contexts such as organizations, relationships, or systems. It conveys the idea of creating something new and ensuring its foundation is solid. This verb is commonly used in formal contexts, such as business or academic discussions.

Strokes13Frequency#1918DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of establishing relationships (建立关系) is crucial for both personal and business interactions, highlighting the importance of trust and long-term connections in society.

Memory Tip

Think of establishing a '建' (building) with a strong foundation '立' (standing). Imagine a tall building being constructed, symbolizing the act of building or establishing something significant. The sound 'jian' can be linked to 'build' in English, helping you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 建立

jiànlì(jian4li4)
1to establish
2to set up
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 建立

建立Simplified
13Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1918Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

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Podcast: 建立

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AI Study Notes for 建立

Quick Contrast

建立 (jiànlì) vs 创建 (chuàngjiàn): 选择建立 (jiànlì) 强调建立坚实基础，而选择创建 (chuàngjiàn) 更侧重于创造或发明新事物。

Usage Notes

Avoid confusing 建立 with similar verbs like 形成 (xíngchéng), which means 'to form.' 建立 is often used in formal situations, so it may not fit well in casual conversations. Pay attention to collocations such as 建立关系 (establish a relationship) or 建立制度 (establish a system).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 5 word, 建立 connects well with other verbs about creation or formation, such as 创造 (chuàngzào - to create) and 发展 (fāzhǎn - to develop). Focus on using it in formal writing or discussions to enhance vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 建立 in informal contexts, such as saying '我建立了一个朋友' (I established a friend), which should be '我交了一个朋友' (I made a friend). Ensure you reserve 建立 for more formal usages.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 建立

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Component Characters

建jiànto establish
HSK 58 strokes廴
View full entry
立lìto stand
HSK 65 strokes立
View full entry

How to say to establish in Chinese

“to establish” in Chinese is建立jiànlì

建立 (jiànlì) means 'to establish' or 'to set up' in various contexts such as organizations, relationships, or systems. It conveys the idea of creating something new and ensuring its foundation is solid. This verb is commonly used in formal contexts, such as business or academic discussions.

When to use 建立

Avoid confusing 建立 with similar verbs like 形成 (xíngchéng), which means 'to form.' 建立 is often used in formal situations, so it may not fit well in casual conversations. Pay attention to collocations such as 建立关系 (establish a relationship) or 建立制度 (establish a system).

建立 or something close to it

建立 (jiànlì) vs 创建 (chuàngjiàn): 选择建立 (jiànlì) 强调建立坚实基础，而选择创建 (chuàngjiàn) 更侧重于创造或发明新事物。

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 建立 in informal contexts, such as saying '我建立了一个朋友' (I established a friend), which should be '我交了一个朋友' (I made a friend). Ensure you reserve 建立 for more formal usages.

Write 建立

建
立

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Grammar Patterns of 建立

建立 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 3 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 lessons4
Exercise 1 of 1

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

我们公司与多家企业____了合作关系。

Our company has established cooperative relationships with many enterprises.

Example Sentences for 建立 (14)

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1
他们最终的目标是为匈牙利建立起市场经济体制。

tā mén zuì zhōng de mù biāo shì wéi xiōng yá lì jiàn lì qǐ shì cháng jīng jì tǐ zhì。

Their ultimate aim was a market economy for Hungary.
2
市政官员刚刚决定同意建立一座新体育馆。

shì zhèng guān yuán gāng gāng jué dìng tóng yì jiàn lì yī zuò xīn tǐ yù guǎn。

The city fathers have just given final approval to a new stadium.
3
乌克兰表示将自己建立一支40多万人的军队。

wū kè lán biǎo shì jiāng zì jǐ jiàn lì yī zhī40 40 duō wàn rén de jūn。

Ukraine indicated that it would establish its own army, 400,000 strong.
4
我期盼着能与他建立长期而有成效的合作关系。

wǒ qī pàn zháo néng yǔ tā jiàn lì cháng qī ér yǒu chéng xiào de hé zuò guān xì。

I am looking forward to a long and successful partnership with him.
5
我们正努力在这些团体和金融机构之间建立联系。

wǒ mén zhèng nǔ lì zài zhè xiē tuán tǐ hé jīn róng jī gòu zhī jiān jiàn lì lián xì。

We're trying to establish linkages between these groups and financial institutions.
6
他觉得将这两家建立不久的机构合而为一是明智的。

tā jué dé jiāng zhè liǎng jiā jiàn lì bù jiǔ de jī gòu hé ér wéi yī shì míng zhì de。

He sees sense in merging the two agencies while both are new.
7
泰勒的阐述是建立在我们叫作有限差分的基础上的.

tài lè de chǎn shù shì jiàn lì zài wǒ mén jiào zuò yǒu xiàn chà fēn de jī chǔ shàng de.

Taylor's exposition based on what we would call finite differences.
8
他们建立起自己的租购子公司.

tā mén jiàn lì qǐ zì jǐ de zū gòu zǐ gōng sī.

They have set up their owt hirepurchase subsidiaries.
9
我们也很高兴能和贵公司建立实质性的业务联系.

wǒ mén yě hěn gāo xīng néng hé guì gōng sī jiàn lì shí zhì xìng de yè wù lián xì.

We're also very glad to have practical business dealings with you.
10
除甄选适宜投资的科技开发项目外,创业资金公司并为获得投资的公司提供管理 、 市场推广和建立网络等方面的意见.

chú zhēn xuǎn shì yí tóu zī de kē jì kāi fā xiàng mù wài, , chuàng yè zī jīn gōng sī bìng wéi huò dé tóu zī de gōng sī tí gōng guǎn、 lǐ 、 shì cháng tuī guǎng hé jiàn lì wǎng luò děng fāng miàn de.

Besides selecting technological ventures for investment, the firms provide management, marketing and networking advice to the investee companies.
11
这个公司计划在亚洲市场建立新的分支机构，以扩大其业务范围。

Zhège gōngsī jìhuà zài Yàzhōu shìchǎng jiànlì xīn de fēnzhī jīgòu, yǐ kuòdà qí yèwù fànwéi.

The company plans to establish new branches in the Asian market to expand its business scope.
12
科学家们希望通过合作，共同建立新的研究中心。

Kēxuéjiāmén xīwàng tōngguò hézuò, gòngtóng jiànlì xīn de yánjiū zhōngxīn.

The scientists hope to establish a new research center through collaboration.
13
政府计划在未来几年内建立更多的绿色能源设施。

Zhèngfǔ jìhuà zài wèilái jǐ nián nèi jiànlì gèng duō de lǜsè néngyuán shèshī.

The government plans to establish more green energy facilities in the coming years.
14
为了促进文化交流，我们决定在不同城市建立姊妹学校。

Wèile cùjìn wénhuà jiāoliú, wǒmen juédìng zài bùtóng chéngshì jiànlì zǐmèi xuéxiào.

To promote cultural exchange, we decided to establish sister schools in different cities.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 建立

You can say '我们需要建立一个新的团队' (We need to establish a new team).

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