建

To cause something to stand; to establish or set up. This includes:

1. Physical Construction: To erect or raise (e.g., a pillar or wall), emphasizing the result of something standing upright and permanent.

2. Institutional Founding: To found, institute, or establish dynasties, legal systems, sects, or administrative orders.

3. Communicative Proposal: To propose or suggest; the formal presentation of advice to a superior (e.g., 建言).

• Contrast with 築 (zhù): While both relate to building, 築 typically refers to the technical process of masonry or earth-working, whereas 建 emphasizes the result of something standing upright and permanent.
• Contrast with 立 (lì): Both involve "standing," but 立 often describes a state of being established or a natural position, while 建 implies a more deliberate process of construction or formal institution.

Fanqie reading: 居万; Tang-period reading: *giæ̀n.

When encountering this glyph, evaluate the context in the following order: first, determine if a literal physical structure is being raised; second, consider if a system or entity is being founded; third, check if it refers to a formal proposal or piece of advice.