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How to Say "constructed" in Spanish

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construido

/kon-stru-EE-do//kõn.struˈi.ðo/

AdjectiveB1formal
Use 'construido' when referring to something that has been physically built or a complex, abstract concept that has been put together.
A sturdy, newly completed brick house with a red roof standing firmly on a green hill under a bright blue sky.

Examples

El puente construido el año pasado es muy seguro.

The bridge constructed last year is very safe.

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

VerbA2
Use 'construyó' to describe a completed action of building or constructing performed by someone in the past.

Examples

Mi abuelo construyó esta casa.

My grandfather built this house.

hechas

EH-chas/ˈeʧas/

AdjectiveB1
Use 'hechas' when the focus is on the materials used or the act of making/manufacturing something, often in the passive voice.
A simple, newly constructed wooden fence standing straight in a bright green field, symbolizing a structure that has been built.

Examples

Las sillas fueron hechas de madera.

The chairs were made/constructed from wood.

Las estatuas fueron hechas de mármol blanco.

The statues were made/constructed from white marble.

Estas decisiones serán hechas por el comité.

These decisions will be made by the committee.

The Passive Voice

When 'hechas' follows a form of 'ser' (like 'fueron' or 'son'), it often indicates that an action was performed on the subject. This is the passive voice, telling you who did the making.

Confusing Past Tense Verbs

A common error is using 'construido' (the past participle) when you need a specific past tense verb like 'construyó' (he/she/it constructed). Remember, 'construyó' is a direct action in the past, while 'construido' often needs a form of 'haber' or 'ser' to function as a verb or adjective.

Related Translations

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