Meaning of 成
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to succeed
- to finish
- to complete
- to accomplish
- to become
- to turn into
- to be all right
- OK!
- surname Cheng
- short name for Chengdu 成都[Cheng2 du1]
How to use 成
成 often follows a verb to show a result or change, as in 变成 (biànchéng, to turn into) and 完成 (wánchéng, to complete). On its own in speech, 成 can mean OK or fine. Example: 水变成了冰。(Shuǐ biànchéng le bīng.) The water turned into ice.
成 (chéng) contains the weapon shape 戈 (gē, halberd) on the right. Picture a warrior who finishes the job with his halberd: the task is done, the goal is reached, so 成 means to succeed or to become.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 成 with 城 (chéng, city) and 诚 (chéng, sincere), which share the same sound and the 成 part but add 土 or 讠 on the left. Also, 成 has a hook stroke and a dot at the top right, and both are easy to forget.
成 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
成 chéng · to succeed · 6 strokes
- 1
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Related words
Words that share a character with 成.
| 成为 | chéngwéi | to become; to turn into |
| 变成 | biànchéng | to change into; to turn into |
| 完成 | wánchéng | to complete; to accomplish |
| 成绩 | chéngjì | achievement; performance records |
| 组成 | zǔchéng | to form; to make up |
| 成功 | chénggōng | to succeed; success |
| 造成 | zàochéng | to bring about; to create; to cause |
| 成员 | chéngyuán | member |
| 形成 | xíngchéng | to form; to take shape |
| 成熟 | chéngshú | mature; ripe; to mature; to ripen |
| 成长 | chéngzhǎng | to mature; to grow |
| 成就 | chéngjiù | accomplishment; success |
Questions about 成
What does 成 mean?
成 (chéng) means "to succeed; to finish" and is used as a verb and measure word.
How do you write 成?
成 is made of 1 character: 成 (6 strokes). That is 6 strokes in total.
Is 成 an HSK word?
Yes. 成 is on the HSK 2 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 成为 and 变成?
成为 (chéngwéi) is more formal and often describes becoming a role or status, like 成为医生 (become a doctor). 变成 (biànchéng) stresses a change in form or state, like 变成冰 (turn into ice).
Can 成 be used to say OK in conversation?
Yes. In casual northern speech, 成 or 成啊 (chéng a) means OK or fine, similar to 行 (xíng). For example, 明天见，成吗？(Míngtiān jiàn, chéng ma?) See you tomorrow, OK?