Definitions

jiàn (verb) to build; to construct
jiàn (verb) to establish; to set up; to found

Etymology

Depicts a hand setting up a wooden post () at the corner of a building site (𠃊).

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "建" derives from a structural composition meant to convey the act of establishment or setting something upright, combining the radical 廴, suggesting movement or a long stride, with the component 聿, which depicts a hand holding a brush and implies writing or law. Its earliest core meaning was specifically to propose and institute legal codes or governmental systems, an act of foundational creation. Over time, this sense of initiating something from the ground up broadened considerably, extending from the abstract founding of states and institutions to the very concrete physical construction of buildings and infrastructure. The character’s conceptual foundation, however, retains this idea of giving form and structure to something that did not previously exist, whether in the realm of administration, organizations, or physical edifices.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Xin dynasty (9-23 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们正在房子。

Wǒmen zhèngzài jiàn fángzi.

We are building a house.

这座城市了很多公园。

Zhè zuò chéngshì jiàn le hěn duō gōngyuán.

This city has built many parks.

他们议早点儿出发。

Tāmen jiànyì zǎo diǎn er chūfā.

They suggest leaving earlier.

学校立了新的图书馆。

Xuéxiào jiànlì le xīn de túshūguǎn.

The school established a new library.

政府计划设高速公路。

Zhèngfǔ jìhuà jiànshè gāosù gōnglù.

The government plans to construct a highway.

这座于1990年。

Zhè zuò jiànzhù jiàn yú 1990 nián.

This building was built in 1990.

我们需要立健全的制度。

Wǒmen xūyào jiànlì jiànquán de zhìdù.

We need to establish a sound system.

通过合作,我们共美好未来。

Tōngguò hézuò, wǒmen gòngjiàn měihǎo wèilái.

Through cooperation, we jointly build a beautiful future.