Meaning and Usage
The verb "建立" (jiàn lì) primarily means "to establish" or "to found." It is commonly used when talking about setting up organizations, institutions, relationships, or systems. The characters individually mean "build" (建) and "stand" (立), which together convey the idea of constructing something stable and lasting.
Common Contexts
- Establishing companies, organizations, or institutions.
- Forming relationships or agreements.
- Creating systems or facilities.
Collocations and Patterns
- 建立公司 (establish a company): used in business contexts.
- 建立关系 (establish relationships): often used in social or diplomatic contexts.
- 建立制度 (establish a system): used in administrative or organizational contexts.
Usage Notes
"建立" is formal and often used in written or formal spoken Chinese. It implies a deliberate and structured process of founding or setting up something. It differs from "创立" (chuàng lì), which also means "to found" but often emphasizes the act of creation or innovation. Avoid confusing "建立" with "建造" (jiàn zào), which means "to build" in a physical sense, like constructing a building.
Summary
Use "建立" when you want to talk about the formal establishment or founding of organizations, relationships, or systems, especially in formal or professional contexts.