build

S1 W1

BrE /bɪld/ AmE /bɪld/

verb en → es

past built pp built ing building

1 CONSTRUCT [transitive] A2

to make something by putting parts together or arranging materials in a particular way

construir, hacer

  • build sth from scratch

Collocations build a house · build a model

  • They are building a new school in the town.

    Están construyendo una nueva escuela en la ciudad.

2 CREATE [transitive] B1

to create or develop something over time through effort and action

crear, desarrollar

  • build sth up

Collocations build a business · build confidence

  • She built her reputation as an expert in the field.

    Ella construyó su reputación como una experta en el campo.

3 FORMULATE [transitive] B2

to formulate or construct something, such as an argument or theory

formular, construir (argumento)

  • build sth on/upon

Collocations build a case · build an argument

  • The lawyer built her case around the witness's testimony.

    El abogado construyó su caso alrededor del testimonio de la testigo.

4 INCREASE [transitive] B1

to increase or strengthen something over time

aumentar, fortalecer

  • build sth up

Collocations build strength · build momentum

  • The team has been building its strength for the championship.

    El equipo ha estado fortaleciendo su fuerza para el campeonato.

5 DEVELOP [transitive] B1

to develop or establish something over time, such as a relationship or skill

desarrollar, establecer

  • build sth with sb

Collocations build trust · build a relationship

  • It takes time to build trust in any new team.

    Toma tiempo construir la confianza en cualquier nuevo equipo.

6 CREATE DATA [transitive] B2

to create or compile data, such as a database or report

crear, compilar (datos)

  • build sth from/to

Collocations build a database · build a profile

  • The company is building a customer database.

    La empresa está creando una base de datos de clientes.

7 ESTABLISH [transitive] B1

to establish or set up something, such as an organization or system

establecer, poner en marcha

  • build sth for sb

Collocations build a company · build an organization

  • They are building the foundation of their new business.

    Están estableciendo la base de su nuevo negocio.

8 IMAGINE [transitive] B2

to imagine or create something in your mind, such as a scenario or story

imaginar, crear (en la mente)

  • build sth up

Collocations build a story · build a scenario

  • She likes to build stories in her mind.

    Le gusta crear historias en su mente.

Phrasal verbs

build up INCREASE/CREATE B1

aumentar, construir (paso a paso)

  • The company has been building up its inventory.

    La empresa ha estado aumentando su inventario.

build in INCLUDE B2

incorporar, incluir

  • The cost of shipping is built into the price.

    El costo del envío está incorporado en el precio.

build on EXPAND B2

expandir, basarse en

  • The new project builds on the success of the previous one.

    El nuevo proyecto se basa en el éxito del anterior.

build out EXPAND/DEVELOP B2

expandir, desarrollar (espacio)

  • The company is building out its office space.

    La empresa está expandiendo su espacio de oficina.

build up to LEAD TO B2

conducir a, llevar a

  • The tension built up to the final scene.

    La tensión se fue construyendo hasta la escena final.

Idioms

build bridges B2

construir puentes (relaciones)

  • We need to build bridges with the community.

    Necesitamos construir relaciones con la comunidad.

build castles in the air C1

construir castillos en el aire (soñar despierto)

  • He spends his time building castles in the air.

    Él pasa su tiempo soñando despierto.

build on sand C1

construir sobre arena (inestable)

  • His business plan is built on sand.

    Su plan de negocios está construido sobre arena.