建物
たてもの · tatemono · JLPT N5 · noun
building
🏢 建物 = build (建て) + thing (物): a built thing
建 is the stem of 建てる (tateru, to build) and 物 (mono) means thing. Native Japanese reading for both: tate + mono. Same pattern as 食べ物 (tabemono, eat-thing = food) and 飲み物 (nomimono, drink-thing = beverage).
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.