造成

• Pinyin: zào chéng
• Hanzi breakdown: 造 = 辶 (walk) + 告 (tell), meaning 'to make'; 成 = 戊 (axe) + 丁 (nail), meaning 'to accomplish' or 'to become'

Meaning

To cause; to result in; to bring about. Used when an action or event leads to a specific, usually negative, consequence.

Typically used for negative outcomes: 造成损失 (cause losses), 造成影响 (cause an impact), 造成伤害 (cause harm). Implies that the result is significant and often undesirable. Can occasionally be used for neutral results.

Examples

1. 暴雨造成了严重的交通问题。 The heavy rain caused serious traffic problems.
2. 他的粗心造成了这次事故。 His carelessness caused this accident.
3. 吸烟会对身体造成很大的伤害。 Smoking can cause great harm to the body.

Usage Guide

Context: news, analysis, everyday

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 台风造成了很大的损失。(The typhoon caused great losses.)
• 污染对环境造成了严重的影响。(Pollution has caused serious environmental impact.)

Don't Say

• 好天气造成了大家很开心。(Don't use 造成 for positive outcomes — use 让 or 使 instead; 造成 implies negative consequences)

Origin & History

造 (to make, to create) + 成 (to become, to accomplish). Together: to make something become reality — to cause a result.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal