成天

• Pinyin: chéng tiān
• Hanzi breakdown: 成 = to accomplish/whole; 天 = 一 (one) + 大 (big) = sky/day

Meaning

All day long; the whole day; constantly. Often carries a slightly negative or exasperated tone.

Similar to 整天 but more colloquial and often implies criticism or complaint. Used when someone does something excessively or annoyingly all the time. Common in spoken Chinese.

Examples

1. 他成天玩游戏，也不好好学习。 He plays games all day and doesn't study properly.
2. 你成天抱怨有什么用，不如想想办法。 What's the use of complaining all the time? Better to think of a solution.
3. 她成天忙工作，都没时间陪孩子。 She's busy with work all day and has no time to spend with her children.

Usage Guide

Context: complaint, criticism, everyday

Tone: critical

Do Say

• 别成天刷手机了，出去走走吧。(Stop scrolling your phone all day; go outside for a walk.)
• 他成天就知道吃喝玩乐。(All he does all day is eat, drink, and have fun.)

Don't Say

• 我成天学习很开心 (成天 usually implies criticism; for positive all-day activities, use 整天 or 一整天)

Origin & History

Compound of 成 (entire, whole) and 天 (day). 成 here functions as 'whole' or 'entire.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal