construit
The English word 'built' is translated into French as construit.
The term refers to something created by putting parts or materials together to make a structure. You may hear the informal phrase construit comme un tank to describe a sturdy and strong construction, or the colloquial term du solide to refer to something made of solid stuff and durable construction.
Which one should you use?
While construit is the standard term, bâti is a synonym often used specifically when referring to buildings or physical structures. In formal contexts, érigé can be used to highlight the monumental aspect of a construction.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form construit is a past participle used to form compound tenses like the passé composé. This participle must agree with the noun it describes: it becomes construite in the feminine singular, construits in the masculine plural and construites in the feminine plural.
Did you know?
- While construit is used for physical objects, the phrase bien construit is often used to describe a logical argument or a well-structured sentence in French essays.
- To describe someone with a very muscular or sturdy physique, French speakers might say they are bien bâti, rather than using construit.
- The word bâtir (to build) and the word bâtiment (building) share the same root, which comes from the idea of a physical framework.
Examples in context
- Qui l'a construit ?Who built it?This sentence is useful for asking who performed the action of building.Tatoeba #334741 by sysko, translation #276317 by CK
- J'ai construit un abri.I built a shelter.This sentence is useful for practicing the construction of a simple sentence with 'construit'.Tatoeba #6153702 by Aiji, translation #5858618 by CK
- Il a construit une maison.He built a house.This sentence is useful for seeing the word used with a common object like a house.Tatoeba #7422951 by Sifaks, translation #7422947 by Sifaks
- La maison est construite en pierre.The house is built with stone.
- Ce monument a été érigé en 1870.This monument was built in 1870.
- Le musée est joliment bâti avec des briques rouges.The museum is nicely built with red bricks.
- Cette villa est construite comme un tank !This villa is built like a tank!
- 165 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are looking at a model bridge.
- LéaC'est toi qui as construit ça ?Did you build this?
- GabrielOui, je l'ai construit hier.Yes, I built it yesterday.
- LéaC'est très bien construit.It is very well built.
- GabrielMerci Léa, c'était difficile !Thanks Lea, it was difficult!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
