建筑物
jiànzhùwù
The English phrase "buildings" is translated into Chinese as 建筑物 (jiànzhùwù).
建筑物 refers to structures or edifices, specifically those with walls and roofs built for people to live or work in.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 建筑物 is composed of 建筑, which means construction or architecture and 物, which means thing or object.
Which one should you use?
While 建筑物 refers specifically to physical structures, the related term 建筑 refers more broadly to the field of architecture or the act of construction.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
建筑物 is a formal term used in technical, legal or journalistic contexts. In casual conversation, speakers often use 楼 to refer to buildings.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, the word for building is often referred to as 樓 or 大廈.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a formal noun, 建筑物 does not change its form to indicate plurality.
How do you pronounce it?
jiànzhùwù
Did you know?
- Chinese architecture often categorizes buildings not just by function, but by the type of roof they have, which historically indicated the rank of the occupant.
- While 建筑物 is formal, the casual word for building 楼 literally means 'floor' or 'storey'. This means that when Chinese speakers refer to a building, they are often conceptually referring to the levels that make it up.
- The character 建 in the phrase carries the historical weight of 'establishing' or 'founding' something, such as a dynasty or a state.
Examples in context
- 建筑物在地震中摇晃。The buildings shook in the earthquake.This sentence shows how 建筑物 can be used to describe the movement of structures during an earthquake.Tatoeba #332668 by fucongcong, translation #277194 by CK
- 爱丁堡已经供应一个繁忙而传统的城市，有许多历史性的建筑物和名胜。Edinburgh already offers a busy and traditional city experience, with many historic buildings and tourist attractions.This sentence uses 建筑物 to describe the historic buildings found in a city.Tatoeba #765261 by eastasiastudent, translation #765262 by eastasiastudent
- 通过创造一个更像家乡并有许多绿色植物和社区建筑物的城市地区，住在城市里快要代表想到在爱丁堡水边地生活，工作也娱乐的两万个人会有更简单、没有压力生活方式。With the creation of a city area that's more like a town, with plenty of greenery and community buildings, living in the city will soon mean simpler, stress-free lifestyles for the 20,000 that are expected to live, work and play in Edinburgh's Waterfront.This sentence uses 建筑物 in the context of community buildings within an urban area.Tatoeba #765177 by eastasiastudent, translation #765179 by eastasiastudent
- 我朋友住在那个大厦里。My friend lives in that building.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are walking through a new downtown area.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen这里的建筑物都很现代。Zhèlǐ de jiànzhùwù dōu hěn xiàndài.The buildings here are all very modern.
- 伟 Wei是的，设计得很漂亮。Shì de, shèjì de hěn piàoliang.Yes, they are beautifully designed.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你喜欢这些高大的建筑物吗？Nǐ xǐhuān zhèxiē gāodà de jiànzhùwù ma?Do you like these tall buildings?
- 伟 Wei非常喜欢，很有活力。Fēicháng xǐhuān, hěn yǒu huólì.I like them very much, they feel very energetic.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
