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March 24, 2026
成chéng(Cheng2)
The character 成 (chéng) primarily means 'to succeed' or 'to complete.' It is used in various contexts, from accomplishing tasks to indicating transformation. In addition, it can also refer to the surname Cheng, which is common in China.
Strokes6Radical戈Frequency#285DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 成 is closely tied to the value placed on success and achievement, often reflected through education and career accomplishments. The phrase '成功' is commonly used to encourage others.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person holding a trophy (success) that is shaped like the character 成. The left side resembles the roof of a house, representing the completion of a project, while the right side, a person standing tall, symbolizes success. The pronunciation 'chéng' sounds like 'cheng' in 'change,' indicating transformation.
Meanings of 成
chéng(Cheng2)
1to succeed
2to finish
Exercise 1 of 3
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About 成
成Simplified
6Strokes
戈Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#285Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6ElementaryTOCFLL2YCTL3HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 成
Podcast: 成
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AI Study Notes for 成
Quick Contrast
成功 (chénggōng) vs 完成 (wánchéng) — use 成 (chéng) for general success or completion, while 成功 (chénggōng) specifically emphasizes successful outcomes, and 完成 (wánchéng) focuses on the act of finishing something.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person holding a trophy (success) that is shaped like the character 成. The left side resembles the roof of a house, representing the completion of a project, while the right side, a person standing tall, symbolizes success. The pronunciation 'chéng' sounds like 'cheng' in 'change,' indicating transformation.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 成 with 完 (wán), which means to finish but doesn't imply success. Use 成 in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious with tonal pronunciation, as it can change the meaning entirely. Phrases like 成功 (chénggōng - success) and 成为 (chéngwéi - to become) are useful collocations.
HSK Study Tips
成 is often encountered in HSK 3 materials, particularly in phrases related to success and completion. Students should focus on its various meanings and practice using it in different contexts, such as 成功 or 成就 (achievement).
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 成 is closely tied to the value placed on success and achievement, often reflected through education and career accomplishments. The phrase '成功' is commonly used to encourage others.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 成 with the similar-sounding and meaning word 成为 (chéngwéi) but fail to use them appropriately in context. For example, saying '我成了成功' (wǒ chéngle chénggōng - I became success) is incorrect; instead, use '我成功了' (wǒ chénggōng le - I succeeded).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 成
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Phonosemantic compound. 戊 represents the meaning and 丁 represents the sound. The 戊 (axe) component is used to represent defending a city. Based on the original meaning "city", now written as 城. The meaning later shifted to "build", "accomplish", a
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Grammar Patterns of 成
成 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 10 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
The turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the core of strength within you that survives all hurt.--Max Lerner
5
你是什么样的人和你想成为什么样的之间的差距就是，你做了什么。
nǐ shì shí mó yàng de rén hé nǐ xiǎng chéng wéi shí mó yàng de zhī jiān de chà jù jiù shì， ， nǐ zuò le shí。
The difference between who you are and who you want to be is what you do.
6
这种疾病传播的条件已经成熟。
zhè zhǒng jí bìng chuán bō de tiáo jiàn yǐ jīng chéng shú。
The conditions are ripe for the spread of disease.
7
我们正在成为时装业的领军者之一。
wǒ mén zhèng zài chéng wéi shí zhuāng yè de lǐng jūn zhě zhī yī。
We are becoming one of the market leaders in the fashion industry.
8
电影以写实开头，然后却发展成为荒诞的幻想。
diàn yǐng yǐ xiě shí kāi tóu， ， rán hòu què fā zhǎn chéng wéi huāng dàn de huàn。
The film starts off realistically and then develops into a ridiculous fantasy.
9
各家经营各自的农场，收获各自的劳动成果。
gè jiā jīng yíng gè zì de nóng cháng， ， shōu huò gè zì de láo dòng chéng。
Each family farms individually and reaps the benefit of its labor.
10
它的发电成本要比核电站低。
tā de fā diàn chéng běn yào bǐ hé diàn zhàn dī。
It will produce electricity more cheaply than a nuclear plant.
Cultural Notes for 成
💡Did you know?
在中国，成是一个非常常见的姓氏，许多著名人物都姓成，包括历史人物和现代名人。
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of 成 is closely tied to the value placed on success and achievement, often reflected through education and career accomplishments. The phrase '成功' is commonly used to encourage others.
📜Proverb
有“成则为王，败则为寇”的说法，强调成功的重要性。
Word Family of 成
Compounds20
城cheng2city walls
诚cheng2honest
盛cheng2surname Sheng
晟Cheng2bright, clear, splendid
誠cheng2honest, sincere, true; actually, really
宬
郕
铖cheng2surname
娍
峸
晠
珹
窚
筬
絾
膥
臹
荿
鋮
鯎
Words Containing This Character20
成chéngto succeed
成为chéngwéito become成為
成功chénggōngsuccess
完成wánchéngto complete
变成biànchéngto change into變成
造成zàochéngto create
形成xíngchéngto form
成员chéngyuánmember成員
成绩chéngjìachievement成績
成立chénglìto establish
成本chéngběn(manufacturing, production etc) costs
成熟chéngshúmature
成长chéngzhǎngto mature成長
组成zǔchéngto form組成
达成dáchéngto accomplish達成
成果chéngguǒresult
成交chéngjiāoto reach a deal
当成dàngchéngto consider as當成
成就chéngjiùsuccess
构成gòuchéngto form構成
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 城 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 成
Common phrases that include 成 (chéng) are '成功' (chénggōng), meaning 'success', and '成就' (chéngjiù), meaning 'achievement'. These phrases are often used in everyday conversations about accomplishments and goals.
Yes, 成 (Chéng) is a common Chinese surname. It ranks among the top surnames in China and is also used in various regions and cultures.
成 (chéng) means 'to finish', 'to complete', 'to accomplish', or 'to become'. It is commonly used in various contexts, such as achieving a goal or transforming into something else.
You can use 成 (chéng) in sentences like '我完成了我的工作' (Wǒ wánchéngle wǒ de gōngzuò), meaning 'I finished my work'. Another example is '他想成为医生' (Tā xiǎng chéngwéi yīshēng), which means 'He wants to become a doctor'.
In everyday conversation, 成 is often used to express success or completion, such as saying '我成功了' (wǒ chénggōng le - I succeeded).
Yes, 成 can describe people's achievements, often in phrases like '他成了一个成功的商人' (tā chéngle yīgè chénggōng de shāngrén - He has become a successful businessman).
Yes, 成 is used in both formal and informal writing, especially in contexts discussing success or transformation.
