Meaning and Usage
"建設" (けんせつ) primarily means "construction" or "building" and is used to refer to the process of constructing buildings, roads, or other infrastructure. It is a formal noun often seen in business, government, and engineering contexts.
Common Contexts
You will encounter "建設" when talking about large-scale projects like building new offices, roads, bridges, or urban development. It emphasizes the act or process of building rather than the finished structure.
Collocations and Patterns
- 建設する: to construct or build (verb form)
- 建設計画: construction plan
- 建設会社: construction company
- 建設現場: construction site
These collocations are common in news, business reports, and technical discussions.
Register and Nuance
"建設" is formal and used in written and formal spoken Japanese. In casual conversation, people might use simpler words like "作る" (to make) or "建てる" (to build).
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "建設" with "建物" (たてもの), which means "building" as a noun. Remember, "建設" focuses on the act/process of construction, not the finished building itself.