成長する

• Reading: せいちょうする
• Romaji: seichou suru
• Kanji breakdown: 成 (sei) — to become, accomplish; 長 (chou) — long, grow
• Pronunciation: /seː.tɕoː.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To grow; to develop; to mature. Used for physical growth of living things and figurative personal or economic growth.

A する verb formed from the noun 成長 (growth). Used broadly: children growing up (子供が成長する), personal development, company growth, and economic expansion. Implies positive development over time. Related words include 成長率 (growth rate) and 成長期 (growth period).

Examples

1. 子供はあっという間に成長する。 Children grow up in the blink of an eye.
2. 失敗から学んで人間として成長した。 I learned from failure and grew as a person.
3. この会社は毎年大きく成長している。 This company has been growing significantly every year.

Usage Guide

Context: parenting, business, self-improvement

Tone: positive

Origin & History

Compound of 成 (sei, to become/accomplish) and 長 (chou, long/grow). Together they mean 'to become grown' — developing to fullness over time.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal