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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.
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.