建筑物
jiànzhúwù · HSK 7
building
🏢 建 build + 筑 construct + 物 thing = a built thing, a building
建 (jiàn) means to build or establish; 筑 (zhú) also means to construct; 物 (wù) means thing or object. Stack them and you get a constructed object, a structure or building.
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.
筑 — bamboo 竹 + 巩 (phonetic, 'bind firmly')
Originally depicted a bamboo zither struck with a stick, with 竹 giving the meaning and 巩 hinting at the sound. The sense later extended from the instrument to 'to ram earth' and then 'to build,' since early Chinese walls were built by pounding earth between bamboo frames. Today it mainly means 'to build/construct.'