How to Say "built" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “built” is “construido” — use 'construido' as an adjective when describing a finished structure or building that has been constructed, often focusing on its state of being..
construido
/kon-stru-EE-do//kõn.struˈi.ðo/
Examples
El puente construido el año pasado es muy moderno.
The bridge built last year is very modern.
El edificio construido en 1950 sigue siendo fuerte.
The building constructed in 1950 is still strong.
La casa está construida con materiales reciclados.
The house is built with recycled materials.
Necesitamos analizar los argumentos construidos por la oposición.
We need to analyze the arguments established by the opposition.
Agreement is Key
As an adjective, 'construido' must change its ending to match the thing it describes. For a feminine noun like 'mesa' (table), you use 'construida'. For plural nouns like 'puentes' (bridges), you use 'construidos'.
The 'Haber' Team
When 'construido' works with the verb 'haber' (to have), it never changes its ending—it always stays 'construido', regardless of who did the building or what was built. (e.g., 'Yo he construido', 'Ellas han construido').
The Passive Voice
When 'construido' works with the verb 'ser' (to be) to show that something received the action (passive voice), it acts like an adjective and must agree in gender and number. (e.g., 'Las torres fueron construidas').
Forgetting Gender Match
Mistake: “La pared es construido.”
Correction: La pared es construida. (Since 'pared' is feminine, the adjective must end in -a.)
Changing the Participle with 'Haber'
Mistake: “Hemos construidas las casas.”
Correction: Hemos construido las casas. (The participle doesn't change when used with 'haber'.)
construido
/kon-stru-EE-do//kõn.struˈi.ðo/
Examples
Hemos construido una casa en el campo.
We have built a house in the countryside.
El edificio construido en 1950 sigue siendo fuerte.
The building constructed in 1950 is still strong.
La casa está construida con materiales reciclados.
The house is built with recycled materials.
Necesitamos analizar los argumentos construidos por la oposición.
We need to analyze the arguments established by the opposition.
Agreement is Key
As an adjective, 'construido' must change its ending to match the thing it describes. For a feminine noun like 'mesa' (table), you use 'construida'. For plural nouns like 'puentes' (bridges), you use 'construidos'.
The 'Haber' Team
When 'construido' works with the verb 'haber' (to have), it never changes its ending—it always stays 'construido', regardless of who did the building or what was built. (e.g., 'Yo he construido', 'Ellas han construido').
The Passive Voice
When 'construido' works with the verb 'ser' (to be) to show that something received the action (passive voice), it acts like an adjective and must agree in gender and number. (e.g., 'Las torres fueron construidas').
Forgetting Gender Match
Mistake: “La pared es construido.”
Correction: La pared es construida. (Since 'pared' is feminine, the adjective must end in -a.)
Changing the Participle with 'Haber'
Mistake: “Hemos construidas las casas.”
Correction: Hemos construido las casas. (The participle doesn't change when used with 'haber'.)
construyó
Examples
Mi abuelo construyó esta mesa.
My grandfather built this table.
Examples
El equipo levantó un nuevo rascacielos.
The team erected a new skyscraper.
Past Tense vs. Participle
Related Translations
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