成分

• Pinyin: chéng fèn
• Hanzi breakdown: 成 = 戈 (weapon) + 丁 (nail), to accomplish; 分 = 八 (divide) + 刀 (knife), to divide

Meaning

Component; ingredient; element. The constituent parts that make up something.

Used to describe the parts or ingredients that compose something, whether physical (food ingredients, chemical components) or abstract (social background, political affiliation). In modern usage, commonly appears in discussions of food ingredients, cosmetics, and product composition.

Examples

1. 这款护肤品的成分都是天然植物提取的。 The ingredients in this skincare product are all extracted from natural plants.
2. 食品包装上必须标明所有成分。 Food packaging must list all ingredients.
3. 他的话里有夸张的成分，不能全信。 His words contain elements of exaggeration — you can't believe everything.

Usage Guide

Context: science, food, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 请问这个药的成分是什么？(May I ask what the ingredients of this medicine are?)
• 这里面有酒精成分。(This contains alcohol as an ingredient.)

Don't Say

• 区分'成分'和'成份'：两个都可以用 (Both 成分 and 成份 are acceptable spellings — they are interchangeable)

Origin & History

Combines 成 (to become/complete) with 分 (part/divide), meaning the parts that come together to form something.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal