reconstruir
/rekonsˈtɾwiɾ/
To rebuild in Spanish is reconstruir.
The verb reconstruir is used to express the act of building something again. While it is the standard term for rebuilding, the verb restaurar can also be used to convey the idea of rebuilding when the context involves restoring historic structures or cultural heritage.
Meaning: to build again (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the prefix re- (meaning 'again') and construir (meaning 'to build').
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb is irregular in the first person singular present indicative, where it changes to reconstruyo (I rebuild). The past participle is reconstruido, which you can use to form perfect tenses or to function as an adjective (rebuilt).
How do you pronounce it?
/rekonsˈtɾwiɾ/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, if you are rebuilding a relationship or a life after a crisis, you often use the phrase reconstruir su vida as a psychological term for healing.
- The Latin root of reconstruir is cōnstruō, which historically meant 'to heap' or 'to gather together' rather than the modern concept of construction.
- While reconstruir refers to the physical act, Spanish speakers use rehabilitar when rebuilding a building to make it legally habitable again.
Examples in context
- Reconstruiremos.We'll rebuild.Tatoeba #9858527 by DJ_Saidez, translation #2107679 by CK
- El gobierno planea reconstruir el puente colapsado.The government plans to rebuild the collapsed bridge.
- El equipo de expertos restaurará la iglesia antigua.The team of experts will rebuild the old church.
- La organización benéfica reedificará las casas destruidas por el terremoto.The charity organization will rebuild the houses destroyed by the earthquake.
- La empresa rehará toda la red eléctrica del vecindario.The company will rebuild the entire neighborhood power grid.
- Después de la tormenta, tendremos que volver a construir todo el jardín.After the storm, we'll have to rebuild the entire garden.
- Después del huracán, comenzaremos a levantar las casas.After the hurricane, we'll start rebuilding the houses.
- Necesitamos reconstruir el puente.We need to rebuild the bridge.
- Ellos van a reconstruir la casa antigua.They are going to rebuild the old house.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are discussing urban development projects.
- Lucía¿Vamos a reconstruir el centro de la ciudad?Are we going to rebuild the city center?
- MateoSí, Lucía, tenemos que reconstruir los edificios.Yes, Lucía, we have to rebuild the buildings.
- LucíaEs un proyecto muy grande para Mateo y para mí.It is a very large project for Mateo and for me.
- MateoPero será un trabajo muy valioso.But it will be very valuable work.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rebuild” translations and entries reconstruir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries reconstruir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
