shīgōng: 施工 - Construction, To Construct, To Carry Out Work

• Keywords: 施工, shigong, what does shigong mean, Chinese for construction, shigong meaning, construction site in Chinese, under construction in Chinese, Chinese building signs, shigong vs jianshe
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese term 施工 (shīgōng), which means “construction” or “to carry out work.” This page breaks down the meaning of 施工, a word you'll see on signs all over China's rapidly developing cities. We'll explore its cultural significance as a symbol of modern progress, explain how to use it in practical sentences, and clarify the important differences between 施工 (shīgōng), 建设 (jiànshè), and 盖 (gài).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): shī gōng
• Part of Speech: Verb / Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To carry out construction or engineering work; the act of construction.
• In a Nutshell: 施工 (shīgōng) is the official, formal term for “construction.” Think of the blue fences, the cranes, and the warning signs around a building or road project—that's the world of 施工. It's not a word for casual conversation about small DIY projects, but rather the professional term for the physical process of building infrastructure, be it a skyscraper, a subway line, or a bridge.

• 施 (shī): This character's core meaning is “to implement,” “to execute,” or “to carry out.” It implies putting a plan into action.
• 工 (gōng): This character means “work,” “labor,” or “project.” It's derived from a pictograph of an ancient carpenter's square, a tool fundamental to building and engineering.

When combined, 施工 (shīgōng) literally translates to “to carry out work,” perfectly capturing its meaning as the execution phase of an engineering or construction project.

In modern China, 施工 (shīgōng) is more than just a technical term; it's a powerful symbol of the nation's breathtakingly rapid development over the past four decades. The constant presence of signs bearing these two characters in every city is a visual reminder of the “China Speed” (中国速度 - Zhōngguó sùdù), the country's ability to complete massive infrastructure projects in record time. In the West, a sign like “Under Construction” is a simple, temporary notice of inconvenience. In China, while it serves the same practical purpose, the sheer scale and ubiquity of 施工 projects tie the word to a grander narrative of national progress, modernization, and ambition. Seeing 施工 doesn't just mean a new road is being built; it's a tangible piece of a larger story of a nation transforming itself. It represents both the pride in this progress and, for local residents, the daily reality of noise, dust, and disruption that comes with living in a perpetual state of “becoming.”

施工 (shīgōng) is used in formal, official, and public contexts. You will rarely hear it in casual conversation unless someone works in the industry.

• On Public Signs: This is the most common encounter for any visitor to China. You'll see it on temporary walls, traffic signs, and building entrances.
  • `前方施工 (qiánfāng shīgōng)` - Construction Ahead
  • `施工中 (shīgōng zhōng)` - Under Construction
  • `施工现场 (shīgōng xiànchǎng)` - Construction Site
  • `施工重地，闲人免进 (shīgōng zhòngdì, xiánrén miǎnjìn)` - Major Construction Area, Unauthorized Personnel Keep Out
• In Official Documents and News: The term is standard in contracts, project proposals, government notices, and news reports about infrastructure development.
• Connotation: The connotation is overwhelmingly neutral and technical. It's a statement of fact, not an emotional term.

• Example 1:
  • 前方施工，请绕行。
  • Pinyin: Qiánfāng shīgōng, qǐng ràoxíng.
  • English: Construction ahead, please take a detour.
  • Analysis: A very common sentence found on road signs. It's a polite but firm instruction.
• Example 2:
  • 这个项目下个月开始施工。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xiàngmù xià gè yuè kāishǐ shīgōng.
  • English: This project will start construction next month.
  • Analysis: Here, 施工 is used as a verb phrase “to start construction” (开始施工).
• Example 3:
  • 这里是地铁五号线的施工现场。
  • Pinyin: Zhèlǐ shì dìtiě wǔ hào xiàn de shīgōng xiànchǎng.
  • English: This is the construction site for subway line 5.
  • Analysis: 施工 acts as a noun modifier for `现场` (xiànchǎng - site), creating the specific compound noun “construction site.”
• Example 4:
  • 大楼正在施工中，闲人免进。
  • Pinyin: Dàlóu zhèngzài shīgōng zhōng, xiánrén miǎnjìn.
  • English: The building is currently under construction, no unauthorized entry.
  • Analysis: The pattern `[Verb] + 中 (zhōng)` means “in the process of [Verb-ing].” `施工中` is a set phrase for “under construction.”
• Example 5:
  • 施工期间，噪音可能会有点大。
  • Pinyin: Shīgōng qījiān, zàoyīn kěnéng huì yǒudiǎn dà.
  • English: During the construction period, the noise might be a bit loud.
  • Analysis: Here, 施工 is used as a noun, “construction,” modifying `期间` (qījiān - period).
• Example 6:
  • 我们需要一份详细的施工方案。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào yī fèn xiángxì de shīgōng fāng'àn.
  • English: We need a detailed construction plan.
  • Analysis: A typical example from a business or engineering context. `施工方案` means “construction plan” or “work plan.”
• Example 7:
  • 由于道路施工，公交车改道了。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú dàolù shīgōng, gōngjiāochē gǎidào le.
  • English: Due to road construction, the bus has been rerouted.
  • Analysis: This shows how 施工 is used to give a reason for a change or disruption.
• Example 8:
  • 这个桥梁的施工难度很大。
  • Pinyin: Zhège qiáoliáng de shīgōng nándù hěn dà.
  • English: The construction difficulty of this bridge is very high.
  • Analysis: 施工 is used here as a noun concept, “the construction (of it).”
• Example 9:
  • 他们没有施工许可证就开工了，这是违法的。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen méiyǒu shīgōng xǔkězhèng jiù kāigōng le, zhè shì wéifǎ de.
  • English: They started work without a construction permit; this is illegal.
  • Analysis: Shows the official, legal context of the word. `施工许可证` is a “construction permit.”
• Example 10:
  • 施工队伍正在夜以继日地工作，以确保项目按时完成。
  • Pinyin: Shīgōng duìwu zhèngzài yèyǐjìrì de gōngzuò, yǐ quèbǎo xiàngmù ànshí wánchéng.
  • English: The construction team is working day and night to ensure the project is completed on time.
  • Analysis: `施工队伍` (shīgōng duìwu) means “construction team,” a common collocation.

For English speakers, the biggest challenge is knowing when to use 施工 (shīgōng) versus other words that also mean “to build” or “construct.”

• 施工 (shīgōng) vs. 建设 (jiànshè):
  • 施工 (shīgōng) refers to the physical process of building. It's about the labor, the materials, the machinery in action. It's the “how.”
  • 建设 (jiànshè) is a much broader and more abstract term. It means “to build” or “to develop” in a grand sense, like `建设国家` (build the nation) or `经济建设` (economic development). It's about the overall goal and vision, the “what” and “why.” You carry out 施工 in order to achieve 建设.
• 施工 (shīgōng) vs. 盖 (gài):
  • 盖 (gài) is a colloquial verb for building structures, primarily houses or buildings. You would say `我叔叔在农村盖了一栋新房子` (My uncle built a new house in the countryside).
  • You would never use `盖` for infrastructure like roads, bridges, or subways. For those, you must use 施工 (for the process) or other specific verbs. 施工 is more formal and versatile.
• Common Mistake: Using 施工 for small, personal projects.
  • Incorrect: `我周末要在家施工一个书架。` (Wǒ zhōumò yào zài jiā shīgōng yīgè shūjià.)
  • Reason: This sounds ridiculous, like you're bringing in a full construction crew to assemble a simple bookshelf.
  • Correct: `我周末要在家装一个书架。` (Wǒ zhōumò yào zài jiā zhuāng yīgè shūjià.) - “I'm going to install a bookshelf at home this weekend.” `装 (zhuāng)` means to install or assemble.

• 建设 (jiànshè) - To build or construct, but on a larger, more abstract scale (e.g., nation-building).
• 建筑 (jiànzhù) - A building; architecture. The physical result of 施工.
• 工程 (gōngchéng) - An engineering project. 施工 is the work done to complete an 工程.
• 工地 (gōngdì) - Construction site. A slightly more colloquial term than `施工现场`.
• 装修 (zhuāngxiū) - To renovate, redecorate (usually interiors). This is a specific type of construction work.
• 盖 (gài) - To build (colloquial, typically used for houses and buildings).
• 项目 (xiàngmù) - Project. The general term for the undertaking that requires 施工.
• 开发 (kāifā) - To develop (e.g., real estate development `房地产开发`). Often precedes the 施工 phase.
• 承包商 (chéngbāoshāng) - Contractor. The company or person responsible for carrying out the 施工.