verb HSK 4
jiàn zào
to build · to construct · to erect

Meaning

建造 means to build or construct something, typically referring to large structures like buildings, bridges, ships, or monuments. It emphasizes the process of construction from start to finish and is more formal than 盖 (gài).

Usage

建造 is commonly used in formal contexts, news reports, and official documents when discussing construction projects. It's often paired with nouns like 房屋 (houses), 桥梁 (bridges), 工厂 (factories), or 船只 (ships). Native speakers prefer this term for substantial construction projects rather than small-scale building.

Examples

  1. 01
    这座大桥是去年建造的。
    Zhè zuò qiáo shì nián jiàn zào de.
    This large bridge was built last year.
  2. 02
    政府计划在这里建造一个新的体育馆。
    Zhèng huà zài zhè jiàn zào xīn de guǎn.
    The government plans to build a new stadium here.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 建造房屋
    jiàn zào fáng
    to build houses
  • 建造桥梁
    jiàn zào qiáo liáng
    to construct bridges
  • 建造工厂
    jiàn zào gōng chǎng
    to build factories
  • 建造船只
    jiàn zào chuán zhī
    to build ships

Antonyms

Origin

Both characters relate to construction: 建 originally depicted setting up a structure, while 造 combines the radical for movement with the concept of creating something. Together they emphasize the complete process of building.

Related