Definitions

zhù (verb) to build; to construct
zhù (noun) five-string lute

Etymology

A strong   bamboo  building;  also provides the pronunciation

About

(zhù) consists of bamboo () and (gǒng, meaning "strong"), depicting a sturdy bamboo structure. Originally the name of a bamboo lute, it now primarily means "to build". The bamboo component also hints at the pronunciation (zhù, close to zhú). This simplified form was adopted from the lower part of the traditional character .

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

小鸟在巢。

Xiǎo niǎo zài zhù cháo.

The bird is building a nest.

工人路很辛苦。

Gōngrén zhù lù hěn xīnkǔ.

Workers building roads are very hardworking.

他们正在一道堤坝。

Tāmen zhèngzài zhù yī dào dībà.

They are building a dam.

这座城市建很古老。

Zhè zuò chéngshì jiànzhù hěn gǔlǎo.

The architecture of this city is very ancient.

为了防洪,我们起了高墙。

Wèile fánghóng, wǒmen zhù qǐle gāo qiáng.

To prevent floods, we built a high wall.

工程师设计并成了这座桥。

Gōngchéngshī shèjì bìng zhù chéngle zhè zuò qiáo.

The engineer designed and built this bridge.

在山区铁路需要克服很多困难。

Zài shānqū zhù tiělù xūyào kèfú hěnduō kùnnán.

Building railways in mountainous areas requires overcoming many difficulties.

政府计划在沿海地区一座新的港口。

Zhèngfǔ jìhuà zài yánhǎi dìqū zhù yī zuò xīn de gǎngkǒu.

The government plans to build a new port in the coastal area.