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建设 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
建设jiànshèto buildHSK 5, vn, 14 strokes, rank #8397, Hard
建设jiànshèto constructHSK 5, vn, 14 strokes, rank #8397, Hard
建设jiànshèconstructionHSK 5, vn, 14 strokes, rank #8397, Hard
建设jiànshèconstructiveHSK 5, vn, 14 strokes, rank #8397, Hard
jiànshè(jian4she4)jian she T4
  1. 1to build
  2. 2to construct
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March 24, 2026

建设(建設)jiànshè(jian4she4)

建设 refers to the act of building or constructing something, often in the context of infrastructure, development projects, or national progress. It emphasizes the idea of growth and development in both physical and abstract senses, such as constructing a society or improving systems.

Strokes14Frequency#8397DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In China, 建设 is closely linked to the rapid urbanization and infrastructure development that has taken place over the last few decades. The term embodies the country's focus on modernization and growth, which is a significant aspect of the national identity.

Memory Tip

Imagine a giant construction site where workers are busy building a ‘giant’ (建) structure (设). The pronunciation 'jian4 she4' can be remembered as 'jan' (like 'giant') and 'she' (like 'shed'), where a giant shed is being constructed.

Meanings of 建设

jiànshè(jian4she4)
1to build
2to construct
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 建设

建设Simplified
建設Traditional
14Strokes
—Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#8397Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 建设

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Podcast: 建设

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AI Study Notes for 建设

Quick Contrast

建设 (jiànshè) vs 发展 (fāzhǎn): Use 建设 when focusing on the act of building or construction, while 发展 emphasizes the broader concept of development or growth.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 建设 with 建立 (to establish), which has a slightly different nuance. 建设 is often used in formal contexts, especially in government or academic discussions about development, while 建立 may be more personal or organizational. Be careful with the tones, as mispronouncing can lead to confusion.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 5 word, 建设 connects to other related terms like 发展 (development) and 改革 (reform). Students should focus on using it in context, especially in discussions about economic or social issues.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 建设 with 发展 (development) and use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我们要建设经济' (We want to build the economy) is incorrect; the correct term is '我们要发展经济' (We want to develop the economy).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 建设

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Component Characters

建jiànto establish
HSK 58 strokes廴
View full entry
设shèto set up
HSK 76 strokes讠
View full entry

How to say to build in Chinese

“to build” in Chinese is建设jiànshè

建设 refers to the act of building or constructing something, often in the context of infrastructure, development projects, or national progress. It emphasizes the idea of growth and development in both physical and abstract senses, such as constructing a society or improving systems.

When to use 建设

Common mistakes include confusing 建设 with 建立 (to establish), which has a slightly different nuance. 建设 is often used in formal contexts, especially in government or academic discussions about development, while 建立 may be more personal or organizational. Be careful with the tones, as mispronouncing can lead to confusion.

建设 or something close to it

建设 (jiànshè) vs 发展 (fāzhǎn): Use 建设 when focusing on the act of building or construction, while 发展 emphasizes the broader concept of development or growth.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 建设 with 发展 (development) and use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我们要建设经济' (We want to build the economy) is incorrect; the correct term is '我们要发展经济' (We want to develop the economy).

Write 建设

建
设

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

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Grammar Patterns of 建设

建设 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 4 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

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

____电站的资金本该足够了。

The money to build the power station ought to have been sufficient.

Example Sentences for 建设 (7)

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1
建设电站的资金本该足够了。

jiàn shè diàn zhàn de zī jīn běn gāi zú gòu le。

The money to build the power station ought to have been sufficient.
2
谁都知道破坏容易建设难.

shuí dū zhī dào pò huài róng yì jiàn shè nán.

It is proverbially easier to destroy than to construct.
3
一条新的绕城环路正在建设当中。

yī tiáo xīn de rào chéng huán lù zhèng zài jiàn shè dāng zhōng。

A new bypass around the city is being built.
4
已拨款五千元为建设新校舍之用.

yǐ bō kuǎn wǔ qiān yuán wéi jiàn shè xīn xiào shě zhī yòng.

Five thousand dollars has been appropriated for the new school buildings.
5
这家公司赢得了一份极为重要的合同,参与建设欧洲最高的大厦。

zhè jiā gōng sī yíng dé le yī fèn jí wéi zhòng yào de hé tóng, , cān yǔ jiàn shè ōu zhōu zuì gāo de dà。

The company won a prestigious contract for work on Europe's tallest building.
6
在帝国建设时期有许多钱好赚.

zài dì guó jiàn shè shí qī yǒu xǔ duō qián hǎo zhuàn.

There's good money in empire building.
7
哨站建设研究蓝图应用时已计算损耗系数.

shào zhàn jiàn shè yán jiū lán tú yīng yòng shí yǐ jì suàn sǔn hào xì shù.

Wastage is now applied to Outpost construction platform blueprints.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 建设

建设 focuses on physical construction and development, while 建立 refers more to establishing or setting up something, like organizations or systems.

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