How to say "erect" in Japanese

• 築くきずくJLPT N1approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbCovers 'erect' in the sense of building or constructing something substantial; the nuance is of building a structure up, and it also has figurative uses for building up things that are not physical.
• 立てるたてるJLPT N4approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbCovers 'erect' as a physical action: standing something upright or putting it up in place. For the verb 'to erect' — putting up a structure or object — this is the natural choice.
  バースデーケーキにろうそくを立たててください。↗

  Please put some candles on the birthday cake.
• まっすぐJLPT N5approx.Common
  na-adjective, adverb, nounMatches 'erect' only as an adjective meaning upright or straight, describing posture or something standing straight, not as a verb for erecting something. It is usually written in kana alone.
  あなたはきのう放課後ほうかごまっすぐ帰宅きたくしましたか。↗

  Did you go straight home after school yesterday?

For the verb 'to erect', choose 「築く」 for building or constructing something substantial and 「立てる」 for physically standing or putting something up; use 「まっすぐ」 only when 'erect' is an adjective meaning upright.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 築くきずくto build
• 立てるたてるto stand up
• まっすぐstraight (ahead)
• すっくとstraight
• すっくりstraight
• かけるto erect (a makeshift building)