verb HSK 5
Traditional 構成
gòu chéng
to constitute · to compose · to form · to make up

Meaning

构成 means to form or constitute something, indicating that parts come together to create a whole. It's used when describing how components, elements, or factors combine to make up a larger entity or system.

Usage

This is a formal verb commonly used in academic writing, news reports, and analytical discourse. It often appears in passive constructions with 由 (yóu) to show what something is composed of, as in '由...构成' (composed of...). Native speakers use it to describe both concrete composition (what makes up a physical object) and abstract concepts (factors that form a situation).

Examples

  1. 01
    水由氢和氧两种元素构成
    Shuǐ yóu qīng yǎng liǎng zhǒng yuán gòu chéng.
    Water is composed of two elements: hydrogen and oxygen.
  2. 02
    这些因素共同构成了经济危机。
    Zhè xiē yīn gòng tóng gòu chéng le jīng wēi .
    These factors together formed the economic crisis.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 由...构成
    yóu ... gòu chéng
    to be composed of...
  • 构成威胁
    gòu chéng wēi xié
    to pose a threat
  • 构成部分
    gòu chéng fèn
    component, constituent part
  • 构成犯罪
    gòu chéng fàn zuì
    to constitute a crime

Antonyms

Origin

The word combines 构 (to construct/build) with 成 (to become/complete), literally meaning 'to build into completion' or 'to construct into being.'

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