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设立 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
设立shèlìto set upHSK 5, v, rank #8322, Medium
设立shèlìto establishHSK 5, v, rank #8322, Medium
shèlì(she4li4) T4
  1. 1to set up
  2. 2to establish
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March 24, 2026
设立(設立)shèlì(she4li4)

设立 means to set up or establish something, often used in the context of institutions, organizations, or regulations. It conveys a formal sense of creation or initiation, often implying an official or legal foundation.

Frequency#8322DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In China, 设立 is often associated with the establishment of important entities like universities, government bodies, and cultural institutions, reflecting the country's emphasis on formal structures in society.

Memory Tip

Think of 设 (she4) as 'setting' a table and 立 (li4) as 'standing' items up on it. Picture yourself establishing a well-organized dining setup, where everything is positioned neatly and purposefully, symbolizing the act of setting up something significant.

Meanings of 设立

shèlì(she4li4)
1to set up
2to establish
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 设立

设立Simplified
設立Traditional
Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#8322Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 设立

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Podcast: 设立

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AI Study Notes for 设立

Quick Contrast

建立 (jiànlì) - use 设立 when referring to formal institutions or regulations, while 建立 is more general and can refer to both physical and abstract constructions.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 设 (she4) as 'setting' a table and 立 (li4) as 'standing' items up on it. Picture yourself establishing a well-organized dining setup, where everything is positioned neatly and purposefully, symbolizing the act of setting up something significant.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 设立 with similar verbs like 建立 (jian4 li4) which generally means 'to construct' and may imply physical building. 设立 is typically used in formal contexts, such as establishing a company or a policy, so be aware of the register.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 设立 connects with other formal verbs like 建立 (jian4 li4) and 组织 (zu3 zhi1). Students should focus on practicing its usage in sentences related to institutions or official settings to better grasp its applications.

Cultural Note

In China, 设立 is often associated with the establishment of important entities like universities, government bodies, and cultural institutions, reflecting the country's emphasis on formal structures in society.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 设立 with the more general verb 造 (zao4), leading to incorrect phrases like 造公司 (zao4 gong1 si1) instead of 设立公司 (she4 li4 gong1 si1). Always use 设立 when discussing formal establishments.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 设立

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Component Characters

shèto set up
HSK 76 strokes
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to stand
HSK 65 strokes
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Write 设立

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Grammar Patterns of 设立

设立 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

他已____了两个慈善信托机构。

He had set up two charitable trusts.

Example Sentences for 设立 (3)

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1
他已设立了两个慈善信托机构。

tā yǐ shè lì le liǎng gè cí shàn xìn tuō jī gòu。

He had set up two charitable trusts.
2
我们在和一些人讨论在伦敦设立办事处的事儿.

wǒ mén zài hé yī xiē rén tǎo lùn zài lún dūn shè lì bàn shì chǔ de shì ér.

We're talking to some people about opening an office in London.
3
划票时,设立秘密划票间.

huá piào shí, , shè lì mì mì huá piào.

Voters will mark their ballots in specially - designated rooms.

Cultural Notes for 设立

🏮Cultural insight

In China, 设立 is often associated with the establishment of important entities like universities, government bodies, and cultural institutions, reflecting the country's emphasis on formal structures in society.

Frequently Asked Questions about 设立

While both mean 'to establish', 设立 is used more in formal contexts like setting up institutions or regulations, whereas 建立 can refer to constructing anything, including physical structures.