Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== xiūjiàn: 修建 - To Build, To Construct ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** xiujian, 修建, what does xiujian mean, Chinese word for build, Chinese word for construct, build vs jianshe, xiūjiàn meaning, how to use xiujian, building in Chinese, Chinese infrastructure * **Summary:** Learn the Chinese verb **修建 (xiūjiàn)**, which means "to build" or "to construct." This term is typically reserved for large-scale, significant projects like railways, bridges, dams, and monuments. Discover its cultural importance, how it differs from other words for "build" like `盖 (gài)`, and how to use it correctly in sentences. This guide is perfect for learners wanting to understand the formal language used in news and discussions about major developments in China. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** xiū jiàn * **Part of Speech:** Verb * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 * **Concise Definition:** To build, construct, or carry out a major repair of a large-scale structure or facility. * **In a Nutshell:** Think big! **修建 (xiūjiàn)** is not the word you use for building a sandcastle or a bookshelf. It's the verb for constructing things that are impressive, public, and built to last. It’s used for projects like highways, airports, memorials, and temples. The character `修 (xiū)` adds a flavor of "repairing" or "improving," so it can also refer to a major renovation of a historical site, not just building from scratch. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **修 (xiū):** This character means to repair, to mend, to decorate, or to cultivate. It's composed of the person radical (亻) and a phonetic component. Imagine a person (亻) carefully working to fix or perfect something. It brings a sense of refinement and improvement to the word. * **建 (jiàn):** This character means to build or to establish. It's composed of the "to walk" radical (廴) and a part (聿) that originally depicted a hand holding a brush. This suggests the act of planning and then proceeding step-by-step to create something new. * **Combined Meaning:** When you combine **修 (to repair/improve)** and **建 (to build/establish)**, you get **修建 (xiūjiàn)**. The word implies a carefully planned construction or a major restoration that improves or establishes a significant structure. It's building with purpose and grandeur. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== * **修建 (xiūjiàn)** is deeply tied to China's identity as a nation of master builders. From ancient times to the present day, large-scale public works have been a symbol of a dynasty's or government's power, prosperity, and ability to organize its people. Historic projects like the Great Wall (长城) and the Grand Canal (大运河) were monumental acts of `修建`. * In modern China, the term is constantly in the news, describing the country's rapid infrastructure development: the world's largest high-speed rail network, massive bridges, new airports, and ambitious projects like the Three Gorges Dam (三峡大坝). The use of `修建` in these contexts carries a tone of national pride and progress. * **Comparison to Western Concepts:** In English, we use "to build" or "to construct" for almost everything, from a model airplane to a skyscraper. The scale is given by the object. In Chinese, the choice of verb itself implies the scale. You would never `修建` a private home; you would `盖 (gài)` it. `修建` is closer in feeling to a phrase like "to undertake the construction of," which in English sounds very formal and is reserved for significant projects, just like `修建` is in Chinese. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== * **Formal and Official Language:** You will almost always encounter **修建 (xiūjiàn)** in formal contexts like news broadcasts, government reports, official plaques, and historical texts. It is not a word used in casual, everyday conversation unless you are specifically discussing a large construction project. * **Connotation:** The term is overwhelmingly neutral to positive. It is associated with development, investment, progress, and historical preservation. A headline saying a city is going to `修建` a new subway line is seen as good news for its residents. * **Common Usages:** * **Infrastructure:** `修建铁路 (xiūjiàn tiělù)` - to build a railway; `修建大桥 (xiūjiàn dàqiáo)` - to build a large bridge. * **Public Buildings:** `修建体育馆 (xiūjiàn tǐyùguǎn)` - to construct a stadium; `修建博物馆 (xiūjiàn bówùguǎn)` - to construct a museum. * **Historical Restoration:** `修建长城 (xiūjiàn Chángchéng)` - to repair/rebuild the Great Wall; `修建古寺 (xiūjiàn gǔsì)` - to renovate an ancient temple. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 政府计划在山区**修建**一条新的高速公路。 * Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ jìhuà zài shānqū **xiūjiàn** yī tiáo xīn de gāosù gōnglù. * English: The government plans to construct a new highway in the mountainous region. * Analysis: A classic example of `修建` used for a large-scale public infrastructure project. * **Example 2:** * 这座古老的寺庙是什么时候**修建**的？ * Pinyin: Zhè zuò gǔlǎo de sìmiào shì shénme shíhòu **xiūjiàn** de? * English: When was this ancient temple built? * Analysis: Here, `修建` is used to ask about the original construction of a significant historical building. * **Example 3:** * 为了纪念这位英雄，人们**修建**了一座纪念碑。 * Pinyin: Wèile jìniàn zhè wèi yīngxióng, rénmen **xiūjiàn** le yī zuò jìniànbēi. * English: To commemorate this hero, the people built a monument. * Analysis: `修建` is appropriate here because a monument is a formal, significant structure. * **Example 4:** * 连接这两个城市的新铁路正在**修建**中。 * Pinyin: Liánjiē zhè liǎng ge chéngshì de xīn tiělù zhèngzài **xiūjiàn** zhōng. * English: The new railway connecting these two cities is currently under construction. * Analysis: The phrase `正在...中 (zhèngzài...zhōng)` indicates an ongoing action. * **Example 5:** * 这个机场是十年前**修建**的，但现在看起来仍然很现代。 * Pinyin: Zhège jīchǎng shì shí nián qián **xiūjiàn** de, dàn xiànzài kàn qǐlái réngrán hěn xiàndài. * English: This airport was constructed ten years ago, but it still looks very modern. * Analysis: Used to refer to the past construction of a major facility. * **Example 6:** * 由于资金问题，水坝的**修建**工作暂停了。 * Pinyin: Yóuyú zījīn wèntí, shuǐbà de **xiūjiàn** gōngzuò zàntíng le. * English: Due to funding issues, the construction work on the dam has been suspended. * Analysis: Here, `修建` is used as part of a compound noun, `修建工作 (xiūjiàn gōngzuò)`, meaning "construction work." * **Example 7:** * **修建**这座桥梁花费了五年时间和数十亿资金。 * Pinyin: **Xiūjiàn** zhè zuò qiáoliáng huāfèi le wǔ nián shíjiān hé shù shí yì zījīn. * English: Constructing this bridge took five years and billions in funds. * Analysis: `修建` can act as the subject of the sentence when used as a gerund ("the act of constructing"). * **Example 8:** * 许多历史建筑都需要定期**修建**和维护。 * Pinyin: Xǔduō lìshǐ jiànzhù dōu xūyào dìngqī **xiūjiàn** hé wéihù. * English: Many historical buildings need to be regularly restored and maintained. * Analysis: This shows how `修建` implies a more significant level of work than simple `维护 (wéihù)` (maintenance). * **Example 9:** * 我们村子集资**修建**了一所新学校。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen cūnzi jízī **xiūjiàn** le yī suǒ xīn xuéxiào. * English: Our village raised funds to build a new school. * Analysis: A school, especially in a rural context, is a significant community project, making `修建` an appropriate choice. * **Example 10:** * 专家们正在讨论如何**修建**被地震毁坏的古塔。 * Pinyin: Zhuānjiāmen zhèngzài tǎolùn rúhé **xiūjiàn** bèi dìzhèn huǐhuài de gǔtǎ. * English: The experts are discussing how to rebuild the ancient pagoda that was destroyed by the earthquake. * Analysis: This highlights the "rebuilding" or "restoration" aspect of `修建`. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **修建 (xiūjiàn) vs. 盖 (gài):** This is the most important distinction for learners. * **修建 (xiūjiàn):** For large-scale infrastructure and important buildings (railways, bridges, dams, temples, stadiums). * **盖 (gài):** For smaller, more common buildings (houses, apartment blocks, sheds). * **Incorrect:** 我要**修建**一个狗窝。 (Wǒ yào **xiūjiàn** yí ge gǒuwō.) - I want to build a doghouse. * **Correct:** 我要**盖**一个狗窝。 (Wǒ yào **gài** yí ge gǒuwō.) or 我要做一个狗窝 (Wǒ yào zuò yí ge gǒuwō.) * **修建 (xiūjiàn) vs. 建设 (jiànshè):** This is a more subtle difference. * **修建 (xiūjiàn):** Refers to the physical act of building a *specific, concrete object*. * **建设 (jiànshè):** Is broader and more abstract. It means "to construct" or "to build" in the sense of development. It can be used for physical things (like `城市建设` - city construction) but also for abstract concepts (`经济建设` - economic construction; `国家建设` - nation-building). * **Example:** The government's plan is to `建设` a modern city (the overall vision), and the first step is to `修建` a new airport (the specific action). ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * **[[盖]] (gài):** The most common verb for "to build" when referring to smaller structures like houses (`盖房子`) or apartment buildings (`盖楼`). * **[[建设]] (jiànshè):** To construct or build, often in a broader, more abstract sense like nation-building or economic development. * **[[建筑]] (jiànzhù):** Can be a noun ("building," "architecture") or a verb ("to construct"), often used interchangeably with `修建` in formal contexts, but can also refer to the architectural style itself. * **[[施工]] (shīgōng):** A technical verb meaning "(to be) under construction." This is the word you see on signs at construction sites: `正在施工，请绕行` (Shīgōng zhōng, qǐng ràoxíng) - "Construction in progress, please detour." * **[[工程]] (gōngchéng):** A noun meaning "engineering project." This is the *thing* that is being `修建`. For example, a `铁路工程` (railway project). * **[[翻新]] (fānxīn):** To renovate or refurbish. Focuses on making something old look new, like renovating an apartment. Less extensive than `修建`. * **[[扩建]] (kuòjiàn):** To expand an existing building or facility (e.g., `扩建机场` - to expand the airport). * **[[维修]] (wéixiū):** To maintain or to repair. This is for fixing specific problems (like a leaky roof), not for large-scale rebuilding.