Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== chóngjiàn: 重建 - To Rebuild, To Reconstruct ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **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:** 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 ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** chóngjiàn * **Part of Speech:** Verb * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 * **Concise Definition:** To build again; to reconstruct or rebuild something that has been damaged or destroyed. * **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 ===== * **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 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. * **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 ===== * 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. * **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. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== * **重建** is a common term in news, official documents, and serious discussions. It's less common in very casual, everyday slang. * **Physical and Literal Reconstruction:** This is the most common usage. It refers to rebuilding infrastructure, buildings, or entire cities. * `灾后重建 (zāihòu chóngjiàn)` - Post-disaster reconstruction. * `城市重建 (chéngshì chóngjiàn)` - Urban reconstruction/renewal. * `家园重建 (jiāyuán chóngjiàn)` - Rebuilding one's homeland/hometown. * **Abstract and Metaphorical Reconstruction:** The term is also widely used for abstract concepts. * `重建信心 (chóngjiàn xìnxīn)` - To rebuild confidence. * `重建信任 (chóngjiàn xìnrèn)` - To rebuild trust. * `经济重建 (jīngjì chóngjiàn)` - Economic reconstruction. * `重建生活 (chóngjiàn shēnghuó)` - To rebuild one's life. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 地震之后，政府立即开始了**重建**工作。 * Pinyin: Dìzhèn zhīhòu, zhèngfǔ lìjí kāishǐle **chóngjiàn** gōngzuò. * English: After the earthquake, the government immediately began the reconstruction work. * 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:** * 这座古庙在战争中被摧毁，后来被**重建**了。 * Pinyin: Zhè zuò gǔmiào zài zhànzhēng zhōng bèi cuīhuǐ, hòulái bèi **chóngjiàn** le. * English: This ancient temple was destroyed during the war and was later rebuilt. * 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:** * 公司正在努力**重建**因丑闻而受损的声誉。 * Pinyin: Gōngsī zhèngzài nǔlì **chóngjiàn** yīn chǒuwén ér shòusǔn de shēngyù. * English: The company is working hard to rebuild its reputation, which was damaged by the scandal. * 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:** * 分手后，他花了很多时间来**重建**自己的生活。 * Pinyin: Fēnshǒu hòu, tā huāle hěn duō shíjiān lái **chóngjiàn** zìjǐ de shēnghuó. * English: After the breakup, he spent a lot of time rebuilding his life. * 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:** * 想要**重建**我们之间的信任，需要时间和真诚。 * Pinyin: Xiǎng yào **chóngjiàn** wǒmen zhījiān de xìnrèn, xūyào shíjiān hé zhēnchéng. * English: To rebuild the trust between us requires time and sincerity. * Analysis: Another abstract usage, focusing on relationships. "Trust" (信任) is something that, once broken, must be **重建**. * **Example 6:** * 战后国家的首要任务是**重建**经济。 * Pinyin: Zhànhòu guójiā de shǒuyào rènwù shì **chóngjiàn** jīngjì. * English: The primary task for the country after the war is to reconstruct the economy. * Analysis: This shows **重建** used in a macroeconomic context. It implies a systematic effort to get the national economy functioning again. * **Example 7:** * 由于数据损坏，我们需要**重建**整个数据库。 * Pinyin: Yóuyú shùjù sǔnhuài, wǒmen xūyào **chóngjiàn** zhěnggè shùjùkù. * English: Due to data corruption, we need to rebuild the entire database. * Analysis: A modern, technical usage. In IT, **重建** can mean recreating a system, index, or database from scratch. * **Example 8:** * 失去了工作后，她必须**重建**自己的职业信心。 * Pinyin: Shīqùle gōngzuò hòu, tā bìxū **chóngjiàn** zìjǐ de zhíyè xìnxīn. * English: After losing her job, she had to rebuild her professional confidence. * 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:** * 我们计划拆掉旧仓库，并在原址上**重建**一座新办公楼。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen jìhuà chāi diào jiù cāngkù, bìngqiě zài yuánzhǐ shàng **chóngjiàn** yī zuò xīn bàngōnglóu. * English: We plan to tear down the old warehouse and rebuild a new office building on the original site. * Analysis: This sentence clearly illustrates the process: demolition first, followed by **重建**. It emphasizes building again in the same location. * **Example 10:** * 这个项目旨在**重建**当地的生态系统。 * Pinyin: Zhège xiàngmù zhǐ zài **chóngjiàn** dāngdì de shēngtài xìtǒng. * English: This project aims to reconstruct the local ecosystem. * Analysis: An environmental context. It means to restore a damaged ecosystem, a process that is like building it anew. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **重建 (chóngjiàn) vs. 修复 (xiūfù):** This is the most common point of confusion. * **重建 (chóngjiàn)** implies a total or near-total destruction. You rebuild something from the ground up. * **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. * **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." * **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." * **重建 (chóngjiàn) vs. 改造 (gǎizào):** * **重建 (chóngjiàn)** is about building *again* after destruction. * **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. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * `[[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. * `[[修复]] (xiūfù)` - To repair; to restore. Used for fixing partial damage, as opposed to total reconstruction. * `[[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. * `[[改造]] (gǎizào)` - To transform; to remodel; to reform. Modifying something that already exists. * `[[建立]] (jiànlì)` - To establish; to set up. Used for founding something for the first time, like establishing a company or diplomatic relations. * `[[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. * `[[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.