建: the kanji for build
建 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means build. Below are its readings, 10 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
建 is written in 9 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
建 has 4 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 10 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
ケン (ken)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 建築けんちく · kenchiku | architecture; construction |
| 建設けんせつ · kensetsu | construction |
| 建国けんこく · kenkoku | founding of a nation |
| 再建さいけん · saiken | rebuilding |
コン (kon)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 建立こんりゅう · konryū | building (a temple) |
たてる (tateru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 建てるたてる · tateru | to build |
| 建物たてもの · tatemono | building |
| 一戸建ていっこだて · ikkodate | detached house |
| 二階建てにかいだて · nikaidate | two-story |
たつ (tatsu)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 建つたつ · tatsu | to be built |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 駅前に新しいビルが建ちました。Ekimae ni atarashii biru ga tachimashita.A new building went up in front of the station.
- あの建物は何ですか。Ano tatemono wa nan desu ka.What is that building?
- いつか一戸建てを買いたいです。Itsuka ikkodate o kaitai desu.Someday I want to buy a house.
- 建設会社で働いています。Kensetsu gaisha de hataraite imasu.I work at a construction company.
- このお寺は八百年前に建てられました。Kono o-tera wa happyakunen mae ni tateraremashita.This temple was built eight hundred years ago.
- 大学で建築を勉強しました。Daigaku de kenchiku o benkyō shimashita.I studied architecture in college.
Questions about 建
How many strokes does 建 have?
建 is written in 9 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 建?
The on readings are ken (ケン), kon (コン). The kun readings are tateru (たてる), tatsu (たつ).
What is the difference between 建てる and 立てる?
Both are read tateru. 建てる means to build a house or building. 立てる means to stand something up or to make a plan, as in 計画を立てる.
What JLPT level is 建?
N4. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.
More JLPT N4 kanji
Places and buildings
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 建
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.