Usage note
建设表示建造和改善。
jiàn shè biǎo shì jiàn zào hé gǎi shàn。
建设 means to build and improve.
Context note
建设常用于城市、国家和项目。
jiàn shè cháng yòng yú chéng shì 、 guó jiā hé xiàng mù。
It is often used with cities, countries, and projects.
5 examples
他们在建设新学校。
tā men zài jiàn shè xīn xué xiào。
They are building a new school.
城市建设很快。
chéng shì jiàn shè hěn kuài。
City construction is very fast.
建设需要很多人。
jiàn shè xū yào hěn duō rén。
Construction needs many people.
我们要建设更好的环境。
wǒ men yào jiàn shè gèng hǎo de huán jìng。
We should build a better environment.
这项建设很重要。
zhè xiàng jiàn shè hěn zhòng yào。
This construction project is very important.
5 mini stories
工人们正在建设桥梁。
gōng rén men zhèng zài jiàn shè qiáo liáng。
The workers are building a bridge.
老师说，建设家园需要大家一起努力。
lǎo shī shuō， jiàn shè jiā yuán xū yào dà jiā yì qǐ nǔ lì。
The teacher said building a home needs everyone's effort.
这座城市建设得很漂亮。
zhè zuò chéng shì jiàn shè dé hěn piào liang。
This city was built beautifully.
他想为社会建设做贡献。
tā xiǎng wèi shè huì jiàn shè zuò gòng xiàn。
He wants to contribute to social construction.
建设好基础，后面就容易了。
jiàn shè hǎo jī chǔ， hòu miàn jiù róng yì le。
If the foundation is built well, the rest becomes easier.
Mini dialogue
城市建设
A
我们的城市变化真大。
Wǒmen de chéngshì biànhuà zhēn dà.
Our city has changed so much.
B
是的，到处都在进行建设。
Shì de, dàochù dōu zài jìnxíng jiànshè.
Yes, construction is going on everywhere.
学校建设
A
那边在建什么？
Nà biān zài jiàn shénme?
What is being built over there?
B
在建设一所新学校。
Zài jiànshè yī suǒ xīn xuéxiào.
A new school is under construction.
Related words and contrasts
related
建筑
jiànzhù
building
Refers to the physical structures or the act of constructing buildings.
related
发展
fāzhǎn
development
Often used together with 建设 to mean construction and development, e.g., 建设发展.
opposite
破坏
pòhuài
destroy
Opposite of construction; to damage or demolish.
similar
修建
xiūjiàn
build
To construct or build, often used for roads, bridges, or buildings.