Readings: ケン (KEN) (Onyomi), た-てる (tateru), た-つ (tatsu) (Kunyomi)
Meaning: To build, to construct, to establish, to erect
The kanji 建 (jiàn) depicts a brush (聿) used for marking or drawing, within a path or extended shape (廴). This implies the act of marking out a space or establishing something on a piece of land, leading to the meaning of “to build” or “to establish.”
View JLPT N4 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 建 is written with 9 strokes. Begin with the vertical stroke on the left, followed by the two horizontal strokes and the final vertical stroke of the 聿 component (which looks like a brush). Then, complete the character by drawing the two strokes of the 廴 radical that enclose the right and bottom.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 廴 (えんにょう) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 9 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
| Grade | 4 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ケン (KEN)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- たてる (tateru)
- たつ (tatsu)
Common Words Using 建
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 建設 | けんせつ | construction |
| 建築 | けんちく | architecture, building |
| 建国 | けんこく | founding of a nation |
| 建造 | けんぞう | building, construction (of large structures) |
| 建材 | けんざい | building materials |
| 建立 | けんりつ | establishment (e.g., of a school) |
| 建碑 | けんぴ | erection of a monument |
| 建議 | けんぎ | suggestion, proposal |
| 建都 | けんと | building of a capital city |
| 建学 | けんがく | founding of a school |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 建物 | たてもの | building |
| 立てる | たてる | to build, to erect, to stand up |
| 建つ | たつ | to be built, to be erected |
| 建前 | たてまえ | facade, public stance |
| 建て替え | たてかえ | rebuilding, reconstruction |
| 建て直し | たてなおし | reconstruction, rebuilding |
| 建て増し | たてまし | extension (of a building) |
| 建て付け | たてつけ | fitting, construction (e.g., of a door) |
| 建具 | たてぐ | fittings, joinery (doors, windows etc.) |
| 建て売り | たてうり | speculative building, house built for sale |
Example Sentences
Japanese: あのビルは来年建つ予定だ。
Kana: あのビルはらいねんたつよていだ。
Romaji: Ano biru wa rainen tatsu yotei da.
English: That building is scheduled to be built next year.
Japanese: 彼は家を建てるために貯金している。
Kana: かれはいえをたてるためにちょきんしている。
Romaji: Kare wa ie o tateru tame ni chokin shiteiru.
English: He is saving money to build a house.
Japanese: 新しい学校が建設される。
Kana: あたらしいがっこうがけんせつされる。
Romaji: Atarashii gakkō ga kensetsu sareru.
English: A new school will be constructed.
Japanese: この建物は何年前に建てられましたか。
Kana: このたてものはなんねんまえにたてられましたか。
Romaji: Kono tatemono wa nan-nen mae ni tateraremashita ka?
English: How many years ago was this building built?
Japanese: 日本には古い建築がたくさんある。
Kana: にほんにはふるいけんちくがたくさんある。
Romaji: Nihon niwa furui kenchiku ga takusan aru.
English: There is a lot of old architecture in Japan.
Japanese: 駅前に大きな商業施設が建った。
Kana: えきまえにおおきなしょうぎょうしせつがたった。
Romaji: Ekimae ni ookina shougyou shisetsu ga tatta.
English: A large commercial facility was built in front of the station.
Japanese: この国は平和な未来を建てるべきだ。
Kana: このくにはへいわなみらいをたてるべきだ。
Romaji: Kono kuni wa heiwa na mirai o tateru beki da.
English: This country should build a peaceful future.
Japanese: 子供たちはブロックで塔を建てた。
Kana: こどもたちはブロックでとうをたてた。
Romaji: Kodomotachi wa burokku de tō o tateta.
English: The children built a tower with blocks.
Japanese: 彼は組織を建てるために尽力した。
Kana: かれはそしきをたてるためにじんりょくした。
Romaji: Kare wa soshiki o tateru tame ni jinryoku shita.
English: He made efforts to establish the organization.
Japanese: この都市はかつて、その美しさで名を建てた。
Kana: このとしはかつて、そのうつくしさでなをたてた。
Romaji: Kono toshi wa katsute, sono utsukushisa de na o tateta.
English: This city once made a name for itself with its beauty.
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