成年

• Pinyin: chéng nián
• Hanzi breakdown: 成 = 戊 (weapon) + 丁 (nail) = to accomplish; 年 = 禾 (grain) + 千 (thousand) variant = harvest year

Meaning

To come of age; to reach adulthood. Also used as a noun meaning 'adult' or adjective meaning 'adult-aged.'

Legal adulthood in China is 18. Used in legal contexts and general discussions about age. Can function as verb, noun, or modifier. Common compound: 成年人 (adult person), 未成年 (minor).

Examples

1. 在中国，十八岁就算成年了。 In China, you're considered an adult at eighteen.
2. 成年人应该对自己的行为负责。 Adults should be responsible for their own actions.
3. 这部电影只有成年观众才能观看。 This movie can only be watched by adult viewers.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, age, responsibility

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 未成年人不能购买烟酒。(Minors cannot purchase cigarettes or alcohol.)
• 他虽然成年了，但心理还不够成熟。(Although he's come of age, he's not mentally mature enough.)

Don't Say

• 我很成年 (成年 describes a state, not a quality — say 我已经成年了 or 我是成年人)

Origin & History

Compound of 成 (to become, reach) and 年 (year, age). Indicates reaching the age of maturity.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal