建
jiàn · HSK 3
build
🏗️ 聿 (brush/writing) + 廴 (stride) = drafting plans while pacing out a site = to build
Etymology: 廴 (long stride) carries 聿 (a hand holding a writing brush) — an official striding out a plot and drafting plans, hence 'establish, build'. Appears in 建设 jiànshè (construction) and 建议 jiànyì (propose, suggest).
建 — 廴 (stride radical) + 聿 (writing brush)
Originally depicted a hand holding a brush (聿) combined with the 廴 'stride/extend' radical, suggesting drawing out or laying down lines. From this came the meaning of setting up or establishing, as in marking out the foundations of a building. Today it broadly means to build, establish, or construct.