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Kotomora

建

build

JLPTN4StatusJōyō · grade 4FrequencyTop 500Strokes9

Readings

On'yomi

  • ケン
  • コン

Kun'yomi

  • た.てる
  • た.て
  • -だ.て
  • た.つ

Nanori

  • たけ
  • たつ
  • たて

Meaning

建 centers on constructing or erecting something, especially a building or structure. The core idea is to build, set up, or establish.

Most common words using 建

24 of 255
  • 建物たてもの
    N5

    building

  • 建設けんせつ
    N3

    construction; establishment

  • 建築けんちく
    N3

    construction; architecture (of buildings)

  • 建てるたてる
    N4

    to build; to construct

  • 再建さいけん
    N1

    rebuilding; reconstruction; rehabilitation

  • 建造けんぞう

    building; construction

  • 建つたつ
    N3

    to be erected; to be built

  • 建国けんこく

    founding of a nation

  • 建前たてまえ
    N2

    face; official stance; public position or attitude (as opposed to private thoughts)

  • 建立こんりゅう

    (act of) building (temple, monument, etc.); erection

  • 建材けんざい

    building material

  • 一戸建ていっこだて
    N2

    detached house; stand-alone house; single-family home

  • 円建てえんだて

    yen basis (for trade, exchange, etc.)

  • 建設省けんせつしょう

    Ministry of Construction

  • 建議けんぎ

    proposition; motion; proposal; suggestion

  • 二階建てにかいだて
    N4

    two-storied building

  • 建造物けんぞうぶつ

    structure; building

  • 建設的けんせつてき

    constructive

  • 土建屋どけんや

    general (civil engineering and construction) contractor

  • 建築士けんちくし
    N2

    authorized architect and builder; licensed architect; registered architect

  • 建築学けんちくがく

    architecture

  • 封建的ほうけんてき
    N1

    feudal; feudalistic

  • 建築家けんちくか
    N2

    architect

  • 封建主義ほうけんしゅぎ
    N1

    feudalism

Explore all words using 建 →

Study

Etymology

建 combines 廴 (a step or movement) with 聿 (a hand holding a brush, here suggesting setting up or establishing). The character likely depicts the act of setting up a post or foundation, extended to building in general.

Meaning mnemonic

The 廴 enclosure suggests a foundation or base, while 聿 looks like a hand holding a tool. Picture a hand setting up a post on a foundation to build a structure.

Reading mnemonic

For ケン, imagine a builder named Ken constructing a house: Ken -> ケン, and he builds it from the ground up.