Meaning of 成为
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to become; to turn into
How to use 成为
成为 is followed by a noun that names the new role or state, and it often sounds a bit more formal than everyday speech. It is common for goals, careers and long-term changes. Example: 我想成为一名医生。(Wǒ xiǎng chéngwéi yì míng yīshēng.) I want to become a doctor.
成 (chéng) means to complete or succeed, and 为 (wéi) means to act as or be. When something is completed into a new role, it has become that thing, so 成为 is to become.
Common mistake: Learners read 为 here as wèi, the tone in 因为 (yīnwèi) and 为什么 (wèi shénme), but in 成为 it is second tone wéi. Also, 成为 cannot be followed by an adjective, so say 他变得很高 (tā biàn de hěn gāo), not 他成为很高.
成为 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
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为 wèi · because of · 4 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 成为.
| 为什么 | wèi shénme | why?; for what reason? |
| 因为 | yīnwèi | because; owing to; on account of |
| 认为 | rènwéi | to believe; to think; to consider; to feel |
| 以为 | yǐwéi | to think; to believe (often with the implication that the belief is mistaken – unless refe |
| 变成 | biànchéng | to change into; to turn into |
| 完成 | wánchéng | to complete; to accomplish |
| 行为 | xíngwéi | action; conduct; behavior; activity |
| 成绩 | chéngjì | achievement; performance records |
| 组成 | zǔchéng | to form; to make up |
| 为了 | wèile | for; for the purpose of; in order to |
| 成功 | chénggōng | to succeed; success |
| 造成 | zàochéng | to bring about; to create; to cause |
Questions about 成为
What does 成为 mean?
成为 (chéngwéi) means "to become; to turn into" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 成为?
成为 is made of 2 characters: 成 (6 strokes), 为 (4 strokes). That is 10 strokes in total.
Is 成为 an HSK word?
Yes. 成为 is on the HSK 2 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 成为 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 成为 is written 成為.
What is the difference between 成为 and 变成?
成为 usually describes reaching a role or status, like becoming a teacher or a friend. 变成 (biànchéng) focuses on a change in form or nature, like water turning into ice. 变成 is more casual and can describe sudden or physical changes.
Can I use 了 with 成为?
Yes. Add 了 after it to show the change has happened, as in 他成为了老师 (tā chéngwéi le lǎoshī), he became a teacher. Many speakers also drop 了 in this pattern, and both are acceptable.