结构

• Pinyin: jié gòu
• Hanzi breakdown: 结 = 纟(silk) + 吉 (phonetic) — to tie/connect; 构 = 木 (wood) + 冓 (phonetic) — to construct or frame

Meaning

Structure; composition. The way parts are arranged or organized to form a whole.

Used in many contexts including architecture, language, organizations, and abstract systems. Common collocations include 组织结构 (organizational structure), 句子结构 (sentence structure), 建筑结构 (building structure), and 社会结构 (social structure). An important concept in both technical and everyday Chinese.

Examples

1. 这篇文章的结构很清楚，读起来很容易。 The structure of this article is very clear and easy to read.
2. 这座桥的结构非常坚固。 The structure of this bridge is extremely sturdy.
3. 公司的组织结构需要调整一下。 The organizational structure of the company needs some adjustment.

Usage Guide

Context: writing, architecture, organizations

Tone: analytical

Do Say

• 这个句子的结构有点复杂。(The structure of this sentence is a bit complex.)
• 你觉得这个建筑的结构怎么样？(What do you think of the structure of this building?)

Don't Say

• 我喜欢这个城市的结构 (For the layout of a city, use 布局 or 规划 — 结构 is better for physical or organizational frameworks)

Origin & History

A compound of 结 (to tie/connect) and 构 (to construct/form), together describing how parts are connected and arranged to form a whole.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal