Meaning
构 means to build, construct, or form something. It rarely appears alone in modern Chinese and is almost always part of compound words. As a bound morpheme, it contributes the meaning of 'structure' or 'construction' to words like 结构 (structure), 构成 (to constitute), and 构建 (to construct).
Usage
In modern Mandarin, 构 is primarily used in formal or written contexts as part of compound words related to construction, composition, or structure. It's very rare to use 构 as a standalone word in everyday speech. Common in academic, technical, and formal writing.
Examples
- 01这座建筑的结构很复杂。.The structure of this building is very complex.
- 02他正在构思一部新小说。.He is conceiving a new novel.
Common collocations
- 构思to conceive (an idea), to work out
- 构图composition (in art/photography)
- 构造structure, construction
- 虚构to fabricate, fictional
Antonyms
Origin
The traditional form 構 contains the wood radical 木, indicating the original meaning related to building with wood or timber framework. The right component 冓 suggests the idea of crossing or intersecting beams in construction.