construir

kohn-stroo-EER/kon.stɾuˈiɾ/

“construir” means “build” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

build🔊A1Verb

physical structure

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create🔊B1Verb

an argument, a theory

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build, construct

Also: erect

VerbA1irregular ir

A construction worker placing a final red brick on a partially completed wall, symbolizing the act of building a physical structure.

infinitiveconstruir

gerundconstruyendo

past Participleconstruido

📝 In Action

Están construyendo un nuevo hospital en el centro.

They are building a new hospital downtown.

Mi abuelo construyó esta casa con sus propias manos.

My grandfather built this house with his own hands.

Word Connections

Synonyms

edificar (to build (formally))
levantar (to raise/erect)

Antonyms

destruir (to destroy)
demoler (to demolish)

Common Collocations

construir un edificio – to build a building
construir una carretera – to build a road

create, develop

Also: formulate, establish

VerbB1irregular irneutral/formal

A person sitting at a table carefully fitting three distinct, brightly colored geometric puzzle pieces together to form a stable, balanced shape, symbolizing the creation of a theory or argument.

infinitiveconstruir

gerundconstruyendo

past Participleconstruido

📝 In Action

Es difícil construir confianza después de una mentira.

It is difficult to build trust after a lie.

El abogado construyó su argumento basándose en la evidencia.

The lawyer constructed his argument based on the evidence.

Necesitamos construir un futuro más sostenible.

We need to build a more sustainable future.

Word Connections

Synonyms

crear (to create)
establecer (to establish)

Antonyms

deshacer (to undo)
arruinar (to ruin)

Common Collocations

construir confianza – to build trust
construir un argumento – to construct an argument

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedconstruye

yoconstruyo

túconstruyes

ellos/ellas/ustedesconstruyen

nosotrosconstruimos

vosotrosconstruís

imperfect

él/ella/ustedconstruía

yoconstruía

túconstruías

ellos/ellas/ustedesconstruían

nosotrosconstruíamos

vosotrosconstruíais

preterite

él/ella/ustedconstruyó

yoconstruí

túconstruiste

ellos/ellas/ustedesconstruyeron

nosotrosconstruimos

vosotrosconstruisteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedconstruya

yoconstruya

túconstruyas

ellos/ellas/ustedesconstruyan

nosotrosconstruyamos

vosotrosconstruyáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedconstruyera

yoconstruyera

túconstruyeras

ellos/ellas/ustedesconstruyeran

nosotrosconstruyéramos

vosotrosconstruyerais

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Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "construir" in Spanish:

build→construct→create→develop→erect→establish→formulate→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: construir

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'construir' in its abstract, non-physical sense?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

construcción(construction, building) — Noun

constructor(builder, developer) — Noun

reconstruir(to rebuild) — Verb

🎵 Rhymes▼

destruir huir

📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin verb *construere*, which means 'to heap together' or 'to build up.' It is formed by combining *con-* (meaning 'together') and *struere* (meaning 'to put in order' or 'to pile').

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: constructFrench: construire

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'construir' a regular verb?

No, it is slightly irregular. While it follows the standard '-ir' pattern in many tenses (like the future), it changes the 'i' to 'y' when the stress falls on the stem, such as in the present tense (*yo construyo*).

How do I say 'being built' in Spanish?

You usually use the passive construction: 'El edificio está siendo construido' (The building is being constructed), or the more common impersonal 'Se está construyendo el edificio' (They are building the building / The building is under construction).