构造

• Pinyin: gòu zào
• Hanzi breakdown: 构 = 木 (wood) + 勾 (hook) — to construct; 造 = 辶 (walk) + 告 (announce) — to make or create

Meaning

Structure; construction; composition. The way in which parts are arranged or organised to form a whole.

Refers to the internal arrangement or organisation of something. Used in architecture (建筑构造), geology (地质构造), biology (身体构造), and language (句子构造). More technical than 结构, which is more commonly used in everyday speech.

Examples

1. 这座桥的构造非常精巧。 The construction of this bridge is very ingenious.
2. 人体的构造是非常复杂的。 The structure of the human body is very complex.
3. 科学家正在研究这种新材料的内部构造。 Scientists are studying the internal structure of this new material.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, technical

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 这栋建筑的构造很特别。(The structure of this building is very unique.)
• 地球的内部构造分为几个层次。(The internal structure of the Earth is divided into several layers.)

Don't Say

• 这个故事的构造很好 (Slightly unusual — for narrative structure, 结构 is more natural; 构造 is better suited to physical or technical structures)

Origin & History

构 (to construct, joining wooden pieces) + 造 (to make/build, from 辶 movement + 告 announce). The way something is built or organised.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal