Definitions
(verb)
to build; to construct
(noun)
five-string lute
Etymology
A strong 巩 bamboo ⺮ building; ⺮ also provides the pronunciation
About
The character "筑" initially denoted a type of stringed musical instrument used in antiquity, and its structure typically incorporated the bamboo radical alongside a phonetic component, while the traditional form "築" was employed to express the act of building, with its composition hinting at the use of bamboo and consolidated earth. As the written language evolved, these two characters experienced a convergence, where "筑" gradually assumed the constructive meanings of "築" due to phonetic similarities and scribal practices, leading to a single character bearing multiple significances. This etymological journey illustrates how graphical elements and semantic roles can shift over time, with "筑" now primarily associated with construction while still retaining its historical musical reference in classical texts.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
小鸟在筑巢。
工人筑路很辛苦。
他们正在筑一道堤坝。
这座城市建筑很古老。
为了防洪，我们筑起了高墙。
工程师设计并筑成了这座桥。
在山区筑铁路需要克服很多困难。
政府计划在沿海地区筑一座新的港口。