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| 重建 [2025/08/04 01:30] – created xiaoer | 重建 [2025/08/04 01:30] (current) – xiaoer |
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| ====== chóngjiàn: 重建 - To Rebuild, To Reconstruct ====== | ====== chóngjiàn: 重建 - To Rebuild, To Reconstruct ====== |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | ===== Quick Summary ===== |
| * **Keywords:** chóngjiàn, 重建, rebuild in Chinese, reconstruct in Chinese, Chinese word for reconstruction, rebuild a city, rebuild trust, economic reconstruction, post-disaster reconstruction, build again. | * **Keywords:** chóngjiàn, 重建, rebuild in Chinese, reconstruct in Chinese, Chinese word for reconstruction, urban renewal China, post-disaster reconstruction, rebuild life, economic reconstruction, build again. |
| * **Summary:** "Chóngjiàn" (重建) is a powerful Chinese verb meaning "to rebuild" or "to reconstruct." It signifies a large-scale process of building something again, often from the ground up after significant damage or destruction. Whether used for physical projects like post-disaster reconstruction of a city, or for abstract concepts like rebuilding trust in a relationship or confidence after a failure, "chóngjiàn" carries a sense of renewal, resilience, and starting anew. | * **Summary:** Learn the powerful Chinese word **重建 (chóngjiàn)**, which means "to rebuild" or "to reconstruct." This comprehensive guide explores its use in describing the physical rebuilding of cities after disasters, large-scale urban renewal projects, and the metaphorical reconstruction of abstract concepts like trust, confidence, or even a person's life. Discover the deep cultural significance of rebuilding in the Chinese context and master how to use 重建 (chóngjiàn) accurately and effectively in conversation. |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | ===== Core Meaning ===== |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** chóngjiàn | * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** chóngjiàn |
| * **Part of Speech:** Verb | * **Part of Speech:** Verb |
| * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 | * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 |
| * **Concise Definition:** To build again; to rebuild or reconstruct, typically on a large scale. | * **Concise Definition:** To build again; to reconstruct or rebuild something that has been damaged or destroyed. |
| * **In a Nutshell:** Think bigger than just "fixing." `重建` is what happens after a catastrophe. A city isn't "fixed" after an earthquake; it is `重建` (rebuilt). Trust isn't "patched up" after a betrayal; it must be `重建` (rebuilt). The word implies a fundamental, often difficult process of starting over, creating something new and whole from the ruins of the old, whether those ruins are physical or emotional. | * **In a Nutshell:** At its heart, **重建 (chóngjiàn)** is the combination of "again" (重) and "to build" (建). It's a straightforward and impactful word used for putting something back together after it has been significantly damaged or completely destroyed. This applies to tangible things like a bridge or a city, as well as intangible concepts like a company's reputation, a nation's economy, or your personal confidence. It carries a sense of starting over, often with the goal of making things better and stronger than before. |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | ===== Character Breakdown ===== |
| * **重 (chóng):** In this context, this character means "again" or "to repeat." It's the same character as in `重复 (chóngfù)`, meaning "to repeat." (Note: This character is also pronounced `zhòng` when it means "heavy"). | * **重 (chóng):** This character means "again," "to repeat," or "to layer." In this context, it is pronounced `chóng`. Be careful not to confuse it with its other pronunciation, `zhòng`, which means "heavy." The idea here is one of repetition—doing the action of building a second time. |
| * **建 (jiàn):** This character means "to build," "to construct," or "to establish." It's a core character for anything related to construction, as seen in `建筑 (jiànzhù)`, "architecture," and `建议 (jiànyì)`, "to suggest" (literally "to build a thought"). | * **建 (jiàn):** This character means "to build," "to construct," or "to establish." It's composed of the radical 廴 (yǐn), which relates to movement or taking a long stride, and 聿 (yù), which originally depicted a hand holding a tool or brush. Together, they evoke the image of actively building or establishing something. |
| The combination is very literal and logical: **"again" (重) + "to build" (建) = to rebuild (重建).** | * **Combined Meaning:** The logic is direct and clear: **重 (chóng)** "again" + **建 (jiàn)** "to build" = **重建 (chóngjiàn)** "to build again" or "to rebuild." |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== |
| In China, `重建` is a word imbued with immense historical and social weight. The nation's modern history is a story of repeated and massive `重建` efforts, from rebuilding after wars to the unprecedented speed of urban development. | * In China, **重建 (chóngjiàn)** is more than just a verb; it's a concept deeply woven into the national narrative of resilience, progress, and collective effort. Throughout its long history, China has faced countless cycles of destruction and rebirth from wars, natural disasters, and political upheaval. The term **重建** thus evokes a powerful sense of bouncing back, often on a massive scale. |
| A key cultural touchstone is **post-disaster reconstruction (灾后重建 zāihòu chóngjiàn)**. Following natural disasters like the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake, the term `重建` became a national rallying cry. It represented not just the physical rebuilding of homes and infrastructure, but also a collective, state-driven effort symbolizing national resilience, unity, and strength. | * **Comparison to Western "Rebuilding":** While "rebuilding" in the West can often refer to a personal journey (e.g., "rebuilding my life") or a community-led project, in China, **重建 (chóngjiàn)** frequently carries the connotation of a large-scale, state-led, national mission. The post-disaster reconstruction following the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake (汶川大地震后的重建) is a prime example. The speed and scale of the effort became a symbol of national strength, efficiency, and the governing philosophy of "concentrating efforts to do big things" (集中力量办大事, jízhōng lìliàng bàn dàshì). Therefore, while it can be used personally, its most powerful resonance is often in the context of national and social projects. |
| Compared to the Western concept of "rebuilding," the Chinese use of `重建` often implies a grander scale, faster pace, and a stronger element of collective or state will. While a community in the U.S. might "rebuild" after a hurricane through a combination of private, local, and federal efforts over several years, the Chinese model of `重建` often involves massive, centralized planning and rapid execution, viewed as a testament to the country's capability. This reflects a cultural value placed on collective action and the ability to overcome hardship through unified, decisive effort. | |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== |
| `重建` is a relatively formal word used in a variety of serious contexts, both literal and figurative. | * **重建** is a common term in news, official documents, and serious discussions. It's less common in very casual, everyday slang. |
| **Physical Reconstruction:** | * **Physical and Literal Reconstruction:** This is the most common usage. It refers to rebuilding infrastructure, buildings, or entire cities. |
| This is the most common usage. It applies to rebuilding cities, buildings, infrastructure, and historical sites after damage. | * `灾后重建 (zāihòu chóngjiàn)` - Post-disaster reconstruction. |
| * After an earthquake: `地震后的重建工作 (dìzhèn hòu de chóngjiàn gōngzuò)` - The post-earthquake reconstruction work. | * `城市重建 (chéngshì chóngjiàn)` - Urban reconstruction/renewal. |
| * Urban renewal: `老城区重建项目 (lǎo chéngqū chóngjiàn xiàngmù)` - The old city district reconstruction project. | * `家园重建 (jiāyuán chóngjiàn)` - Rebuilding one's homeland/hometown. |
| **Abstract Reconstruction:** | * **Abstract and Metaphorical Reconstruction:** The term is also widely used for abstract concepts. |
| `重建` is powerfully used for abstract concepts, indicating a serious and profound effort. | * `重建信心 (chóngjiàn xìnxīn)` - To rebuild confidence. |
| * **Relationships:** `重建信任 (chóngjiàn xìnrèn)` - to rebuild trust. | * `重建信任 (chóngjiàn xìnrèn)` - To rebuild trust. |
| * **Psychology:** `重建信心 (chóngjiàn xìnxīn)` - to rebuild confidence. | * `经济重建 (jīngjì chóngjiàn)` - Economic reconstruction. |
| * **Economics:** `经济重建 (jīngjì chóngjiàn)` - economic reconstruction. | * `重建生活 (chóngjiàn shēnghuó)` - To rebuild one's life. |
| * **Systems:** `重建公司的管理体系 (chóngjiàn gōngsī de guǎnlǐ tǐxì)` - to reconstruct the company's management system. | |
| The connotation is almost always positive or neutral, signaling hope, progress, and a new beginning after a period of difficulty. | |
| ===== Example Sentences ===== | ===== Example Sentences ===== |
| **Example 1:** | * **Example 1:** |
| 地震后，政府和人民一起开始了**重建**家园的艰巨任务。 | * 地震之后，政府立即开始了**重建**工作。 |
| Pinyin: Dìzhèn hòu, zhèngfǔ hé rénmín yīqǐ kāishǐ le **chóngjiàn** jiāyuán de jiānjù rènwù. | * Pinyin: Dìzhèn zhīhòu, zhèngfǔ lìjí kāishǐle **chóngjiàn** gōngzuò. |
| English: After the earthquake, the government and the people began the arduous task of rebuilding their homeland. | * English: After the earthquake, the government immediately began the reconstruction work. |
| Analysis: A classic, formal example showing `重建` used for large-scale, post-disaster rebuilding. `家园 (jiāyuán)` means "homeland" or "hometown" and adds an emotional weight. | * Analysis: A classic and very common example. **重建** here refers to the large-scale physical rebuilding of the affected area. It's a formal and standard usage you would see in a news report. |
| **Example 2:** | * **Example 2:** |
| 要**重建**我们之间的信任，需要时间和真诚的努力。 | * 这座古庙在战争中被摧毁，后来被**重建**了。 |
| Pinyin: Yào **chóngjiàn** wǒmen zhījiān de xìnrèn, xūyào shíjiān hé zhēnchéng de nǔlì. | * Pinyin: Zhè zuò gǔmiào zài zhànzhēng zhōng bèi cuīhuǐ, hòulái bèi **chóngjiàn** le. |
| English: To rebuild the trust between us will require time and sincere effort. | * English: This ancient temple was destroyed during the war and was later rebuilt. |
| Analysis: This demonstrates the common abstract use of `重建` with `信任 (xìnrèn)`, "trust." It highlights that the process is difficult and serious. | * Analysis: Here, **重建** is used for a single historical structure. The passive voice `被 (bèi)` is common, indicating that the temple was the recipient of the action of being rebuilt. |
| **Example 3:** | * **Example 3:** |
| 这座古庙在一百年前被烧毁，最近才被**重建**。 | * 公司正在努力**重建**因丑闻而受损的声誉。 |
| Pinyin: Zhè zuò gǔ miào zài yībǎi nián qián bèi shāohuǐ, zuìjìn cái bèi **chóngjiàn**. | * Pinyin: Gōngsī zhèngzài nǔlì **chóngjiàn** yīn chǒuwén ér shòusǔn de shēngyù. |
| English: This ancient temple was burned down a hundred years ago and was only recently rebuilt. | * English: The company is working hard to rebuild its reputation, which was damaged by the scandal. |
| Analysis: Here, `重建` is used for the reconstruction of a historical site. The passive voice `被 (bèi)` is common in such sentences. | * Analysis: This is a perfect example of metaphorical usage. You can't physically build a "reputation" (声誉), but you can "rebuild" it in an abstract sense. |
| **Example 4:** | * **Example 4:** |
| 在经历了那次惨痛的失败后，他正在努力**重建**自己的事业和信心。 | * 分手后，他花了很多时间来**重建**自己的生活。 |
| Pinyin: Zài jīnglì le nà cì cǎntòng de shībài hòu, tā zhèngzài nǔlì **chóngjiàn** zìjǐ de shìyè hé xìnxīn. | * Pinyin: Fēnshǒu hòu, tā huāle hěn duō shíjiān lái **chóngjiàn** zìjǐ de shēnghuó. |
| English: After experiencing that bitter failure, he is working hard to rebuild his career and confidence. | * English: After the breakup, he spent a lot of time rebuilding his life. |
| Analysis: This example pairs `重建` with two abstract concepts: `事业 (shìyè)` - career, and `信心 (xìnxīn)` - confidence, showing its versatility. | * Analysis: A personal and emotional use of the term. It implies starting over and putting the pieces of one's life back together after a major setback. |
| **Example 5:** | * **Example 5:** |
| 战后，国家的首要任务是**重建**经济。 | * 想要**重建**我们之间的信任，需要时间和真诚。 |
| Pinyin: Zhànhòu, guójiā de shǒuyào rènwù shì **chóngjiàn** jīngjì. | * Pinyin: Xiǎng yào **chóngjiàn** wǒmen zhījiān de xìnrèn, xūyào shíjiān hé zhēnchéng. |
| English: After the war, the country's primary task was to reconstruct the economy. | * English: To rebuild the trust between us requires time and sincerity. |
| Analysis: A very common and formal usage in news, politics, and history, referring to economic reconstruction. | * Analysis: Another abstract usage, focusing on relationships. "Trust" (信任) is something that, once broken, must be **重建**. |
| **Example 6:** | * **Example 6:** |
| 这个软件更新失败了，我们必须**重建**整个数据库。 | * 战后国家的首要任务是**重建**经济。 |
| Pinyin: Zhège ruǎnjiàn gēngxīn shībài le, wǒmen bìxū **chóngjiàn** zhěnggè shùjùkù. | * Pinyin: Zhànhòu guójiā de shǒuyào rènwù shì **chóngjiàn** jīngjì. |
| English: The software update failed; we have to rebuild the entire database. | * English: The primary task for the country after the war is to reconstruct the economy. |
| Analysis: A modern, technical use of `重建`. Just as with a physical building, rebuilding a database implies starting over from a clean or backed-up state. | * Analysis: This shows **重建** used in a macroeconomic context. It implies a systematic effort to get the national economy functioning again. |
| **Example 7:** | * **Example 7:** |
| 他们希望把这个衰落的工业区**重建**为一个充满活力的艺术中心。 | * 由于数据损坏，我们需要**重建**整个数据库。 |
| Pinyin: Tāmen xīwàng bǎ zhège shuāiluò de gōngyèqū **chóngjiàn** wéi yīgè chōngmǎn huólì de yìshù zhōngxīn. | * Pinyin: Yóuyú shùjù sǔnhuài, wǒmen xūyào **chóngjiàn** zhěnggè shùjùkù. |
| English: They hope to rebuild this declining industrial area into a vibrant arts center. | * English: Due to data corruption, we need to rebuild the entire database. |
| Analysis: This shows `重建` can mean not just restoring what was lost, but transforming it into something new and better. The structure `把...重建为...` (bǎ... chóngjiàn wéi...) is useful here. | * Analysis: A modern, technical usage. In IT, **重建** can mean recreating a system, index, or database from scratch. |
| **Example 8:** | * **Example 8:** |
| 分手后，她搬到了一个新城市，开始**重建**自己的生活。 | * 失去了工作后，她必须**重建**自己的职业信心。 |
| Pinyin: Fēnshǒu hòu, tā bāndào le yīgè xīn chéngshì, kāishǐ **chóngjiàn** zìjǐ de shēnghuó. | * Pinyin: Shīqùle gōngzuò hòu, tā bìxū **chóngjiàn** zìjǐ de zhíyè xìnxīn. |
| English: After the breakup, she moved to a new city and began to rebuild her life. | * English: After losing her job, she had to rebuild her professional confidence. |
| Analysis: A personal and relatable use of the term. `重建生活 (chóngjiàn shēnghuó)` implies more than just "moving on"; it suggests actively creating a new life structure and identity. | * Analysis: This focuses specifically on "confidence" (信心). The phrase `重建信心 (chóngjiàn xìnxīn)` is a very common and useful collocation. |
| **Example 9:** | * **Example 9:** |
| 为了恢复生态平衡，我们需要**重建**这片森林。 | * 我们计划拆掉旧仓库，并在原址上**重建**一座新办公楼。 |
| Pinyin: Wèile huīfù shēngtài pínghéng, wǒmen xūyào **chóngjiàn** zhè piàn sēnlín. | * Pinyin: Wǒmen jìhuà chāi diào jiù cāngkù, bìngqiě zài yuánzhǐ shàng **chóngjiàn** yī zuò xīn bàngōnglóu. |
| English: In order to restore ecological balance, we need to rebuild this forest. | * English: We plan to tear down the old warehouse and rebuild a new office building on the original site. |
| Analysis: This applies `重建` to an ecological context (reforestation), highlighting its use for large, complex systems. | * Analysis: This sentence clearly illustrates the process: demolition first, followed by **重建**. It emphasizes building again in the same location. |
| **Example 10:** | * **Example 10:** |
| 公司的声誉受损严重，**重建**公众形象将是首要挑战。 | * 这个项目旨在**重建**当地的生态系统。 |
| Pinyin: Gōngsī de shēngyù shòusǔn yánzhòng, **chóngjiàn** gōngzhòng xíngxiàng jiāng shì shǒuyào tiǎozhàn. | * Pinyin: Zhège xiàngmù zhǐ zài **chóngjiàn** dāngdì de shēngtài xìtǒng. |
| English: The company's reputation was severely damaged; rebuilding its public image will be the primary challenge. | * English: This project aims to reconstruct the local ecosystem. |
| Analysis: Another abstract business context. `重建形象 (chóngjiàn xíngxiàng)` - to rebuild an image/reputation - is a common phrase in public relations. | * Analysis: An environmental context. It means to restore a damaged ecosystem, a process that is like building it anew. |
| ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== |
| The most common mistake for learners is using `重建` for small-scale repairs. `重建` implies total or near-total reconstruction, not minor fixes. | * **重建 (chóngjiàn) vs. 修复 (xiūfù):** This is the most common point of confusion. |
| **`重建 (chóngjiàn)` vs. `修理 (xiūlǐ)` vs. `修复 (xiūfù)`** | * **重建 (chóngjiàn)** implies a total or near-total destruction. You rebuild something from the ground up. |
| * **重建 (chóngjiàn): To Rebuild.** Use this for things that are destroyed and need to be built again from the ground up. Think cities, houses, large systems, or deeply broken trust. | * **修复 (xiūfù)** means "to repair" or "to restore." It's used when something is damaged but largely intact. You fix a part of the whole. |
| * **Correct:** 他们**重建**了在火灾中烧毁的学校。(They rebuilt the school that burned down in the fire.) | * **Incorrect:** 我的手机屏幕碎了，我需要**重建**它。(Wǒ de shǒujī píngmù suì le, wǒ xūyào **chóngjiàn** tā.) - "My phone screen is cracked, I need to **rebuild** it." |
| * **Incorrect:** 我需要**重建**我的自行车。 (I need to rebuild my bicycle.) | * **Correct:** 我的手机屏幕碎了，我需要**修理**它 / **修复**它。(Wǒ de shǒujī píngmù suì le, wǒ xūyào **xiūlǐ** tā / **xiūfù** tā.) - "My phone screen is cracked, I need to **repair** it / **fix** it." |
| * **修理 (xiūlǐ): To Repair/Fix.** This is your everyday word for fixing things that are broken but not destroyed. It's for cars, computers, bikes, watches, etc. | * **重建 (chóngjiàn) vs. 改造 (gǎizào):** |
| * **Correct:** 我需要**修理**我的自行车。(Wǒ xūyào **xiūlǐ** wǒ de zìxíngchē.) - I need to fix my bike. | * **重建 (chóngjiàn)** is about building *again* after destruction. |
| * **修复 (xiūfù): To Restore/Repair.** This is more formal than `修理` and often implies restoring something to its original, perfect state. It's frequently used for cultural relics, artworks, old photos, or corrupted digital files. | * **改造 (gǎizào)** is about "reforming" or "transforming" something that already exists. You aren't destroying it, but changing its form or function. For example, you would **改造** an old factory into a modern art museum, but you would **重建** a factory that burned down. |
| * **Correct:** 专家们正在**修复**这幅古画。(Zhuānjiāmen zhèngzài **xiūfù** zhè fú gǔ huà.) - The experts are restoring this ancient painting. | |
| In short, you `修理` a flat tire, `修复` a damaged painting, and `重建` a city flattened by an earthquake. | |
| ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== | ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== |
| * [[建设]] (jiànshè) - To construct, to build. Refers to the act of building, often for the first time or as part of ongoing development (e.g., nation-building, infrastructure construction). `重建` is specifically building *again*. | * `[[建设]] (jiànshè)` - To construct; to build. Usually refers to new construction, not rebuilding something that was lost. It has a positive, nation-building feel. |
| * [[建立]] (jiànlì) - To establish, to set up. Used for creating new things like companies, diplomatic relations, or a system. `建立` is about the initial creation. | * `[[修复]] (xiūfù)` - To repair; to restore. Used for fixing partial damage, as opposed to total reconstruction. |
| * [[改造]] (gǎizào) - To transform, remodel, or reform. This implies changing something into a different form, not just rebuilding it as it was. You might `改造` an old factory into apartments. | * `[[恢复]] (huīfù)` - To recover; to resume. Often used for abstract things like health (`恢复健康`), order (`恢复秩序`), or functionality. It's about returning to a normal state. |
| * [[恢复]] (huīfù) - To recover, to restore. Often used for abstract states like health (`恢复健康`), order (`恢复秩序`), or functionality (`恢复正常`). It's about returning to a former state, not the physical act of building. | * `[[改造]] (gǎizào)` - To transform; to remodel; to reform. Modifying something that already exists. |
| * [[修复]] (xiūfù) - To restore, repair. A close relative, but `修复` focuses on returning something to its original condition, often with precision (art, data), while `重建` implies building anew, sometimes from nothing. | * `[[建立]] (jiànlì)` - To establish; to set up. Used for founding something for the first time, like establishing a company or diplomatic relations. |
| * [[修理]] (xiūlǐ) - To repair, to fix. The common, everyday term for fixing broken objects. It is the opposite of `重建` in terms of scale. | * `[[灾后重建]] (zāihòu chóngjiàn)` - A set phrase meaning "post-disaster reconstruction." A very important and common collocation. |
| * [[灾后重建]] (zāihòu chóngjiàn) - A set phrase meaning "post-disaster reconstruction." A very important and common collocation. | * `[[破坏]] (pòhuài)` - To destroy; to damage. The direct antonym of building and rebuilding. |
| * [[信心]] (xìnxīn) - Confidence. A concept often paired with `重建`, as in `重建信心` (to rebuild confidence). | * `[[推倒重来]] (tuīdǎo chónglái)` - A chengyu (idiom) meaning "to push over and start again from scratch." It's a more drastic and colloquial synonym for the idea of rebuilding. |
| * [[信任]] (xìnrèn) - Trust. Another key concept often rebuilt, as in `重建信任` (to rebuild trust). | |