构成 gòuchéng to constitute
to constitute; to form; to compose; to make up; to configure (computing)
How to remember 构成: 构 to compose + 成 to become = to constitute.
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How it is used
- To constitute / make up / form - 水由氢和氧构成 (shuǐ yóu qīng hé yǎng gòuchéng) water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen.
- Also 'to constitute (a problem/threat)' in formal/legal use: 构成威胁 (gòuchéng wēixié) constitute a threat; 构成犯罪 (gòuchéng fànzuì) amount to a crime.
- Contrast 组成 (zǔchéng), near-identical for 'be made up of', but 构成 is preferred for the abstract 'amount to' sense.