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 set up"
Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "to set up", including 建 (jiàn), 设 (shè), 办 (bàn), 搞 (gǎo). Study pinyin, English meanings, traditional forms…
How to Study This Meaning Group
The English word "to set up" covers 4 different Chinese characters — 建 (jiàn), 设 (shè), 办 (bàn), 搞 (gǎo) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 4 characters do not share a sound — their readings span jiàn, shè, bàn, gǎo — 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
- 设 shèto set up; to arrange; to establish; to found; to displayUseful words: 设计, 设备
- 办 bànto do; to manage; to handle; to go about; to run; to set upUseful words: 办法, 办公室
- 搞 gǎoto do; to make; to go in for; to set up; to get hold of; to take care ofUseful words: 搞好, 搞鬼
Common words for these 4 "to set up" characters
Anchor each of these 4 characters in a word you can picture — start with 建 (jiàn) — so "to set up" 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设计shè jìto design; to plan; design; plan设备shè bèiequipment; facilities; installations建设jiàn shèto build; to construct; to establish; to develop办法bàn fǎway of handling sth; means; measure; (practical) solution to a problem办公室bàn gōng shìoffice; business premises怎么办zěn me bànwhat's to be done搞好gǎo hǎoto do well at; to do a good job
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 4 ways to say "to set up".
设 shè — to set up; to arrange; to establish; to found; to display
学校设有一个图书馆。Xué xiào shè yǒu yí ge tú shū guǎn.The school has a library.
Common words: 设计 (shè jì)、设备 (shè bèi)、建设 (jiàn shè)
办 bàn — to do; to manage; to handle; to go about; to run; to set up
这件事我来办。Zhè jiàn shì wǒ lái bàn.I will handle this matter.
Common words: 办法 (bàn fǎ)、办公室 (bàn gōng shì)、怎么办 (zěn me bàn)
搞 gǎo — to do; to make; to go in for; to set up; to get hold of; to take care of
这次活动是大家一起搞起来的。Zhè cì huó dòng shì dà jiā yì qǐ gǎo qǐ lái de.This event was organized by everyone together.
Common words: 搞好 (gǎo hǎo)、搞鬼 (gǎo guǐ)、搞笑 (gǎo xiào)
All 4 characters
Open 建、设、办 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.