How common it is
设立 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
Pronunciation focus
Say shè lì slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
设立是一个动词，意思是建立或成立某个机构、组织或制度。比如，设立一个社团或设立一个节日。使用时后面常跟具体的目标。
Shèlì shì yīgè dòngcí, yìsi shì jiànlì huò chénglì mǒu gè jīgòu, zǔzhī huò zhìdù. Bǐrú, shèlì yīgè shètuán huò shèlì yīgè jiérì. Shǐyòng shí hòumiàn cháng gēn jùtǐ de mùbiāo.
Setup is a verb meaning to establish or found an institution, organization, or system. For example, set up a club or set up a holiday. When using it, it is often followed by a specific target.
Context note
在学校或社区里，我们经常设立新的活动或小组。比如，学校可以设立一个读书小组，或者社区可以设立一个玩具分享站。这个词语让人想到大家一起努力创建美好的事物。
Zài xuéxiào huò shèqū lǐ, wǒmen jīngcháng shèlì xīn de huódòng huò xiǎozǔ. Bǐrú, xuéxiào kěyǐ shèlì yīgè dúshū xiǎozǔ, huòzhě shèqū kěyǐ shèlì yīgè wánjù fēnxiǎng zhàn. Zhège cíyǔ ràng rén xiǎng dào dàjiā yīqǐ nǔlì chuàngjiàn měihǎo de shìwù.
In schools or communities, we often set up new activities or groups. For example, a school can set up a reading group, or a community can set up a toy sharing station. This word reminds people of working together to create something wonderful.
5 examples
我们学校设立了一个新的图书馆。
wǒ men xué xiào shè lì le yí gè xīn de tú shū guǎn。
Our school set up a new library.
妈妈在花园里设立了一个小鸟喂食器。
mā ma zài huā yuán lǐ shè lì le yí gè xiǎo niǎo wèi shí qì。
Mom set up a bird feeder in the garden.
班级设立了一个纪律委员会。
bān jí shè lì le yí gè jì lǜ wěi yuán huì。
The class set up a discipline committee.
公园里设立了很多长椅供人休息。
gōng yuán lǐ shè lì le hěn duō cháng yǐ gòng rén xiū xi。
Many benches were set up in the park for people to rest.
政府设立了一个新的儿童游乐场。
zhèng fǔ shè lì le yí gè xīn de ér tóng yóu lè chǎng。
The government set up a new children's playground.
5 mini stories
小明和朋友们决定设立一个科学兴趣小组。他们每周在学校的实验室里做实验。
xiǎo míng hé péng yǒu men jué dìng shè lì yí gè kē xué xìng qù xiǎo zǔ。 tā men měi zhōu zài xué xiào de shí yàn shì lǐ zuò shí yàn。
Xiaoming and his friends decided to set up a science interest group. They do experiments in the school lab every week.
小区的居民设立了一个旧物交换站。大家把不需要的玩具和书本放在那里交换。
xiǎo qū de jū mín shè lì le yí gè jiù wù jiāo huàn zhàn。 dà jiā bǎ bù xū yào de wán jù hé shū běn fàng zài nà lǐ jiāo huàn。
The residents in the community set up a second-hand exchange station. Everyone puts unwanted toys and books there to swap.
学校设立了一个艺术节，每年春天举行。孩子们展示自己的绘画和手工作品。
xué xiào shè lì le yí gè yì shù jié， měi nián chūn tiān jǔ xíng。 hái zi men zhǎn shì zì jǐ de huì huà hé shǒu gōng zuò pǐn。
The school set up an arts festival that takes place every spring. The children display their paintings and handicrafts.
为了帮助有困难的同学，班级设立了一个互助基金。大家捐出零花钱帮助需要的人。
wèi le bāng zhù yǒu kùn nán de tóng xué， bān jí shè lì le yí gè hù zhù jī jīn。 dà jiā juān chū líng huā qián bāng zhù xū yào de rén。
To help classmates in need, the class set up a mutual aid fund. Everyone donates their pocket money to help those in need.
小镇设立了一个公共菜园，居民可以免费种植蔬菜。大家在那里种了西红柿和黄瓜。
xiǎo zhèn shè lì le yí gè gōng gòng cài yuán， jū mín kě yǐ miǎn fèi zhǒng zhí shū cài。 dà jiā zài nà lǐ zhǒng le xī hóng shì hé huáng guā。
The small town set up a community garden where residents can grow vegetables for free. Everyone planted tomatoes and cucumbers there.