"Make" is to create something (general); "build" is to construct something structural, piece by piece.
To create, produce, or cause something. Very general. Also: to force or cause someone to do something.
She makes her own clothes. She learned to sew from her grandmother.
Ella hace su propia ropa. Aprendio a coser de su abuela.
Can you make me a coffee? I am exhausted.
¿Puedes hacerme un cafe? Estoy agotado.
The news made her very sad. She did not expect it.
La noticia la puso muy triste. No lo esperaba.
To construct something by assembling parts. Implies a structured process with pieces or stages.
They are building a new hospital on the outskirts of the city.
Estan construyendo un nuevo hospital en las afueras de la ciudad.
He built his company from scratch over twenty years.
El construyo su empresa desde cero en veinte anos.
My son built a treehouse in the backyard last summer.
Mi hijo construyo una casa en el arbol en el patio trasero el verano pasado.
Common mistake
Using "make" for physical construction or structured processes: "They are making a house" exists but sounds informal and imprecise compared to "They are building a house." For careers, relationships, and structures that develop in stages, "build" is correct: "build a career / build trust / build a team." "Make a career / make trust" are not natural expressions.
Trick to remember it
Process indicator: is something assembled piece by piece, stage by stage, with structure? "Build". Is something created directly, quickly, or generally? "Make". Fixed collocations: "make a decision / make a mistake / make breakfast / make money" — do not swap them. "Build a bridge / build a company / build confidence" — do not swap these either.
Quick rule
Make = create in general. Build = construct in stages / assemble (physical or abstract structured thing).
Did you know?
"Build" is used metaphorically in very productive ways in English: "build a reputation", "build trust", "build relationships", "build skills", "build an audience", "build momentum" — all imply something that develops gradually with sustained effort. Spanish "construir" has similar uses, but English "build" is even more frequent in these metaphorical contexts.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
The city plans to _____ a new metro line by 2028.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
Can you _____ me a sandwich? I have not eaten since this morning.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Make = create in general. Build = construct in stages / assemble (physical or abstract structured thing).
Using "make" for physical construction or structured processes: "They are making a house" exists but sounds informal and imprecise compared to "They are building a house." For careers, relationships, and structures that develop in stages, "build" is correct: "build a career / build trust / build a team." "Make a career / make trust" are not natural expressions.
Process indicator: is something assembled piece by piece, stage by stage, with structure? "Build". Is something created directly, quickly, or generally? "Make". Fixed collocations: "make a decision / make a mistake / make breakfast / make money" — do not swap them. "Build a bridge / build a company / build confidence" — do not swap these either.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy