建物, 建築, and 建設: buildings, architecture, and construction
Compare the object named 建物 with 建築 for building activity or architectural technique and 建設 for bridge and library construction. The library examples show that the meanings can overlap.
建物 names the building
建物 (たてもの) means a building. 「駅の前に高い建物があります。」 means “There is a tall building in front of the station.” The sentence locates an existing tall building in front of the station.
「古い建物を直して小さな宿にした。」 means “We repaired an old building and turned it into a small inn.” The object repaired and converted into an inn is still named 建物. The noun itself does not identify a particular kind of construction work.
Activity and technique with 建築
建築 (けんちく) means construction or architecture. 「川沿いに新しい図書館を建築する計画がある。」 means “There are plans to build a new library by the river.” 建築する names the activity of building the library, which is described here as a plan.
「この寺は木造建築の技術を今に伝えている。」 means “This temple preserves the tradition of wooden architecture.” 木造建築 refers to wooden architecture, with the temple example focusing on the tradition it preserves.
Bridge and library construction with 建設
建設 (けんせつ) means construction. 「川に新しい橋を建設する計画が住民に説明された。」 means “A plan to build a new bridge over the river was explained to residents.” It is the plan for the new bridge that was explained to residents.
「建設中の図書館は、秋に開館する予定だ。」 means “The library under construction is scheduled to open in the fall.” 建設 also applies to a library. These examples do not establish mutually exclusive object categories for 建築 and 建設.
How do 建築 and 建設 in the library examples differ from 建物?
Show the answer and why
建物 names the building as an object. 建築する and 建設中 describe building activity or construction in progress. 建築 and 建設 can overlap in contexts such as library construction.