How to say "establish" in Japanese

• 構えるかまえるJLPT N1approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbCovers establishing in the physical sense: setting up a house, store, or similar premises and running it. It is not the word for establishing theories, records, or rules.
  彼かれはジャマイカに住居じゅうきょを構かまえた。↗

  He took up residence in Jamaica.
• 打ち立てるうちたてるCommon
  ichidan verb, transitive verbUse for establishing abstract things decisively: a theory, a principle, a record, or independence. It suggests setting something up firmly so that it stands.
• 始めるはじめるJLPT N4approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbFits when 'establish' means starting something new: opening a store, starting up a business or society. The focus is on the launch itself rather than the standing of what is founded.
  私わたしたちは姉妹しまい３人にんで喫茶店きっさてんを始はじめた。↗

  We three sisters opened a coffee shop.
• 定めるさだめるJLPT N1approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbCovers establishing rules and norms: laying down laws, regulations, or provisions. Choose it when 'establish' means fixing something formally, as in legal or contractual language.
  職員しょくいんの選考せんこうに関かんする規則きそくを次つぎのように定さだめる。↗

  Rules in connection with staff selection are set as follows.
• なすCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbReally means to build up or create, as in building a fortune; its 'establish' sense is marginal. For founding a company or laying down rules, this is seldom the word you want.

Choose by what is being established: 「構える」 for setting up and running a physical place, 「始める」 for starting a business or organization, 「打ち立てる」 for establishing theories or records, 「定める」 for laying down rules, and 「なす」 mainly for building something up.

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

• 構えるかまえるto set up (a house, store, etc.)
• 打ち立てるうちたてるto establish
• 証を立てるあかしをたてるto prove
• おくto establish (an organization, a facility, a position, etc.)
• 始めるはじめるto start up (a business, society, etc.)
• 定めるさだめるto establish
• なすto build up (e.g. a fortune)
• 設けるもうけるto set up
• 築くきずくto build up (a reputation, position, fortune, etc.)
• 築き上げるきずきあげるto build up (a fortune, reputation, enterprise, etc.)
• 興すおこすto establish (e.g. a company)
• 固めるかためるto make secure
• 定むさだむto establish
• つけるto establish (relations or understanding)
• まとめるto establish
• 立てるたてるto make
• 作るつくるto coin (a phrase)
• ひらくto found (nation, dynasty, sect, etc.)
• 通すとおすto connect (e.g. two places)
• 起こすおこすto start