Translation guide
The English verb 'construct' covers building physical structures, creating abstract things like theories or sentences, and forming geometric figures. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is being constructed.
To build something like a building, bridge, or machine by putting parts together.
Most common for large-scale construction like buildings, bridges, roads. Emphasizes the process of building.
新しい橋を建設する計画がある。
There is a plan to construct a new bridge.
General verb for building houses, buildings, etc. More everyday than 建設する.
彼は自分で家を建てた。
He constructed his own house.
To assemble or put together from parts, like furniture or machinery.
説明書を見ながら棚を組み立てた。
I constructed the shelf while looking at the instructions.
Often used metaphorically (build a fortune, relationship) but can mean to construct a building in a more literary or historical sense.
城を築くのに何年もかかった。
It took many years to construct the castle.
To form an idea, theory, system, or story by organizing parts.
Used for building systems, theories, relationships, databases, etc. Emphasizes careful design.
新しい理論を構築するのは難しい。
Constructing a new theory is difficult.
To build up or create something through effort, like a story, reputation, or plan.
彼は巧妙なアリバイを作り上げた。
He constructed a clever alibi.
To compose or make up a whole from parts, often used for stories, arguments, or organizations.
この小説は三部で構成されている。
This novel is constructed in three parts.
To put words together according to grammatical rules.
Commonly used for constructing sentences or phrases.
正しい文を組み立てる練習をしよう。
Let's practice constructing correct sentences.
More formal, used for analyzing how a text or speech is constructed.
文章を論理的に構成する必要がある。
You need to construct your writing logically.
To draw a shape like a triangle or circle using specific tools or rules.
Technical term for constructing geometric figures with compass and straightedge.
コンパスを使って正三角形を作図した。
I constructed an equilateral triangle using a compass.
General verb for drawing, can be used for constructing figures in a less technical sense.
定規で直線を描いて三角形を描いた。
I constructed a triangle by drawing straight lines with a ruler.
建設する is more formal and often used for public works or large projects. 建てる is the everyday verb for building houses, shops, etc. 建てる can also be used metaphorically (e.g., 国を建てる found a country), but 建設する is not used that way.
建設する is only for physical structures. For abstract construction like theories or systems, use 構築する or 作り上げる.