成长

• Pinyin: chéng zhǎng
• Hanzi breakdown: 成 = meaning to become; 长 = simplified from 長, here pronounced zhǎng meaning to grow

Meaning

To grow up; to mature; growth. The process of developing from young to adult, or from inexperienced to capable.

Used for both physical growth (children growing up) and personal development (gaining experience, maturing). Also used metaphorically for the growth of businesses, economies, or skills. Common in phrases like 成长过程 (growth process) and 快速成长 (rapid growth).

Examples

1. 每个孩子的成长都需要父母的关心和支持。 Every child's growth requires the care and support of their parents.
2. 在这份工作中，我成长了很多。 I have grown a lot in this job.
3. 这家公司在过去五年里成长得很快。 This company has grown very quickly over the past five years.

Usage Guide

Context: family, education, career

Tone: positive

Do Say

• 她在一个幸福的家庭中成长。(She grew up in a happy family.)
• 每次失败都是成长的机会。(Every failure is an opportunity for growth.)

Don't Say

• 花成长了 (Don't use 成长 for plants — say 花长大了 or 花生长了; 成长 is primarily for people or metaphorical growth)

Origin & History

Compound of 成 (to become, to accomplish) and 长 (to grow, long), together describing the process of growing and maturing.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal