建设

• Pinyin: jiàn shè
• Hanzi breakdown: 建 = 廴 + 聿 — to build with purpose; 设 = 讠(speech/plan) + 殳 (a tool/weapon) — to set up, equip, arrange

Meaning

To build; to construct; construction; development. Refers to the ongoing process of building up infrastructure, institutions, or society.

建设 implies an ongoing or large-scale effort to build and develop, often used for national, civic, or institutional development. Common uses: 城市建设 (urban development), 经济建设 (economic development), 建设项目 (construction project). As a noun it means 'construction' or 'development.' It is frequently found in political and official language, but is also used in everyday speech for major building efforts.

Examples

1. 国家正在大力推进农村建设。 The country is vigorously pushing forward rural development.
2. 这个城市的建设速度非常快。 The pace of construction in this city is very fast.
3. 我们都应该为社会建设做出贡献。 We should all contribute to the development of society.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, urban planning, economics, society, work

Tone: constructive

Do Say

• 学校的建设工作进展顺利。(The construction work at the school is progressing smoothly.)
• 我们要积极参与社区建设。(We should actively participate in community development.)

Don't Say

• 我建设了一个三明治。(Don't use 建设 for making food or small objects — it is for large-scale building or development. Use 做 for everyday making.)

Origin & History

Compound of 建 (to build) and 设 (to set up, to establish, to equip). Together they emphasise building and equipping — not just the physical act of construction but the establishment of functional systems and infrastructure.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal