建 jiàn — to establish; to found; to set up; to build; to construct
工人们正在建一座新桥。Gōng rén men zhèng zài jiàn yí zuò xīn qiáo.The workers are building a new bridge.
Common words: 建议 (jiàn yì)、建立 (jiàn lì)、建设 (jiàn shè)
Meaning Index
Chinese characters meaning "to build"
Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "to build", including 建 (jiàn), 造 (zào), 修 (xiū), 盘 (pán), 盖 (gài / gě). Study pinyin, English meanings…
How to Study This Meaning Group
The English word "to build" covers 5 different Chinese characters — 建 (jiàn), 造 (zào), 修 (xiū), 盘 (pán), 盖 (gài / gě) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 5 characters do not share a sound — their readings span jiàn, zào, xiū, pán, gài, gě — so confirm the pinyin and tone for each one separately. The example sentences further down show how 建 and the others are actually used, so you learn them in context rather than as a single translation.
- 建 jiànto establish; to found; to set up; to build; to constructUseful words: 建议, 建立
- 造 zàoto make; to build; to invent; to manufactureUseful words: 造成, 创造
- 修 xiūto decorate; to embellish; to repair; to build; to study; to writeUseful words: 修改, 装修
- 盘 pánbig; wooden tray; dish; tray; to build; to checkUseful words: 盘子, 光盘
- 盖 gài / gělid; top; cover; canopy; to build; (surname)Useful words: 覆盖, 膝盖
Common words for these 5 "to build" characters
Anchor each of these 5 characters in a word you can picture — start with 建 (jiàn) — so "to build" turns into concrete usage instead of a one-to-one translation.
建议jiàn yìto propose; to suggest; to recommend; proposal建立jiàn lìto establish; to set up; to found建设jiàn shèto build; to construct; to establish; to develop造成zào chéngto bring about; to create; to cause创造chuàng zàoto create; to bring about; to produce; to set (a record)制造zhì zàoto manufacture; to make修改xiū gǎito amend; to alter; to modify装修zhuāng xiūto decorate; interior decoration; to fit up; to renovate维修wéi xiūmaintenance (of equipment); to protect and maintain盘子pán zitray; plate; dish
See each character in a sentence
Each character below is shown in a short example sentence with pinyin and an English translation — the quickest way to feel the difference between the 5 ways to say "to build".
造 zào — to make; to build; to invent; to manufacture
小朋友用积木造了一座城堡。Xiǎo péng you yòng jī mù zào le yí zuò chéng bǎo.The child built a castle out of blocks.
Common words: 造成 (zào chéng)、创造 (chuàng zào)、制造 (zhì zào)
修 xiū — to decorate; to embellish; to repair; to build; to study; to write
工人正在修一条新路。Gōng rén zhèng zài xiū yì tiáo xīn lù.The workers are repairing a road.
Common words: 修改 (xiū gǎi)、装修 (zhuāng xiū)、维修 (wéi xiū)
盘 pán — big; wooden tray; dish; tray; to build; to check
妈妈端来一盘热腾腾的饺子。Mā ma duān lái yì pán rè téng téng de jiǎo zi.Mom brought over a plate of steaming dumplings.
Common words: 盘子 (pán zi)、光盘 (guāng pán)、键盘 (jiàn pán)
盖 gài / gě — lid; top; cover; canopy; to build; (surname)
天冷了，睡觉要盖好被子。Tiān lěng le, shuì jiào yào gài hǎo bèi zi.When it is cold, cover yourself well with a quilt when sleeping.
Common words: 覆盖 (fù gài)、膝盖 (xī gài)、掩盖 (yǎn gài)
All 5 characters
Open 建、造、修 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.