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N4

Kanji 建: meanings, readings, and example words.

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Kanji 建: build

Key takeaways

Kanji 建: build. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

N4

Meaning

build

On reading

ケンコン

Kun reading

た.てるた.て-だ.てた.つ

Radical

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 建

build

Kanji structure breakdown

Structure breakdown

聿 + 廴

Mnemonic story

Mnemonic story

Imagine drawing a blueprint with a writing brush (聿) and then walking a long distance (廴) across the site to build (建) a structure. This represents the process of planning and constructing.

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

ケン
  • 再建さいけん

    rebuilding / reconstruction

  • 封建ほうけん

    feudal / feudalistic system

  • 建設けんせつ

    construction / building / establishment

  • 建築けんちく

    construction / architecture

Kun reading

た.てる
  • 建前たてまえ

    public stance / official position

  • 建つたつ

    to be built / to stand

  • 建てるたてる

    to build / to construct

  • 二階建てにかいだて

    two-storied / two-floor building

  • 建物たてもの

    building / structure

Commonly used words

  • 再建
    さいけん

    rebuilding / reconstruction

  • 封建
    ほうけん

    feudal / feudalistic system

  • 建設
    けんせつ

    construction / building / establishment

  • 建築
    けんちく

    construction / architecture

  • 建前
    たてまえ

    public stance / official position

  • 建つ
    たつ

    to be built / to stand

  • 建てる
    たてる

    to build / to construct

  • 二階建て
    にかいだて

    two-storied / two-floor building

  • 建物
    たてもの

    building / structure

Example sentences

Example 1

戦後の町を再しました。

Translation

They rebuilt the town after the war.

Example 2

古い物の再には時間がかかる。

Translation

Rebuilding the old building takes time.

Example 3

彼の前と本音は違う。

Translation

His public stance and true feelings are different.

Example 4

前ばかりで本音が見えない。

Translation

It's all just official talk; I can't see his real thoughts.

Kanji 建: build | Daily Nihongo