build

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 築 has 16 strokes and expresses building structures or establishing systems and relationships.
• Basic usage: 築く is read きずく, and 改築 is read かいちく.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Abstract objects
  • 信頼を築いた means built trust.
  • 築く also applies to intangible things such as relationships and systems.
• Rebuilding a structure
  • 古い納屋を住居に改築した means converted an old barn into a home.
  • With 改築する, を marks the structure being changed and に marks its resulting use.