成長

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

Meaning

Growth; development. The process of growing physically, mentally, or in scale.

A suru-verb (成長する) used as an intransitive verb for organic, natural, or personal growth. Covers children growing up, companies expanding, and personal development. Distinguished from 生長, which is used specifically for biological growth of plants and organisms.

Examples

1. 子供の成長は本当に早いと感じる。 I really feel that children grow up so fast.
2. この経験を通じて人として成長できた。 Through this experience, I was able to grow as a person.
3. アジア経済は急速に成長を続けている。 The Asian economy continues to grow rapidly.

Usage Guide

Context: child-rearing, self-improvement, economics

Tone: positive

Origin & History

Compound of 成 (sei, to become/accomplish) and 長 (chou, long/grow). Literally 'becoming long/tall' — extended to mean growing and developing in any sense.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal