构

搆/構

gòu

勾 + 木

Definitions

gòu (verb) to construct; to form; to make up; to compose

gòu (noun) paper mulberry (tree)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 勾 represents the sound. Simplified form of 構.

Semantic: 木 Phonetic: 勾

About

构 is the simplified version of 構, a phono-semantic compound with the core meaning of building or constructing. Both forms share the semantic radical 木 (wood), pointing to the historical reliance on timber for structural frameworks. The traditional right-side component 冓 (gòu) served as the phonetic marker, which was replaced by the simpler 勾 (gōu) during simplification, greatly reducing the stroke count. Originally referring to the assembly of wooden frames, the meaning broadened to include the construction of abstract things: ideas, literary works, and organizational systems.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个结构很稳固。

Zhège jiégòu hěn wěngù.

This structure is very stable.

现代建筑结构很复杂。

Xiàndài jiànzhù jiégòu hěn fùzá.

Modern architectural structures are very complex.

五个人构成了一个小组。

Wǔ gè rén gòuchéngle yīgè xiǎozǔ.

Five people form a group.

他在构思一个新的计划。

Tā zài gòusī yīgè xīn de jìhuà.

He is conceiving a new plan.

公司的组织架构需要调整。

Gōngsī de zǔzhī jiàgòu xūyào tiáozhěng.

The company's organizational structure needs adjustment.

这个理论构建在他的研究基础上。

Zhège lǐlùn gòujiàn zài tā de yánjiū jīchǔ shàng.

This theory is constructed on the basis of his research.

两国正在积极构建新型国际关系。

Liǎng guó zhèngzài jījí gòujiàn xīnxíng guójì guānxì.

The two countries are actively building a new type of international relations.

这部作品解构了传统的叙事模式。

Zhè bù zuòpǐn jiěgòule chuántǒng de xùshì móshì.

This work deconstructs the traditional narrative mode.

Related Characters

Component: 勾

Component: 木

构