成

chéng

戊 + 𠃌

HSK 3.0Level 6

Definitions

chéng (verb) to succeed; to accomplish

chéng (verb) to become; to turn into

chéng (verb) to complete; to finish

chéng (adjective) OK; alright

chéng (numeral) one tenth

Etymology

Depicts defending city walls (丁) with an axe (戌). 丁 also represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "city", now written as 城. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

About

The character 成 combines 戌 (a battle-axe) with 丁 (a nail, here depicting city walls and also indicating the pronunciation). It originally represented defending city walls with an axe and meant "city", a sense now written as 城. Through phonetic loan, the character lost its martial associations and came to express the successful completion of any task. Today it functions as a verb meaning "to become" or "to succeed", a noun for "achievement", and a measure word for tenths or percent.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Warring States (475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我完成了作业。

Wǒ wánchéng le zuòyè.

I have finished my homework.

他做成了那件事。

Tā zuò chéng le nà jiàn shì.

He accomplished that thing.

这件事终于成功了。

Zhè jiàn shì zhōngyú chénggōng le.

This matter finally succeeded.

他们成了一对好朋友。

Tāmen chéng le yī duì hǎo péngyǒu.

They have become a pair of good friends.

这项计划形成了新的方案。

Zhè xiàng jìhuà xíngchéng le xīn de fāng'àn.

This plan formed a new proposal.

这本书由十个章节组成。

Zhè běn shū yóu shí gè zhāngjié zǔchéng.

This book is composed of ten chapters.

团队合作是成功的关键因素。

Tuánduì hézuò shì chénggōng de guānjiàn yīnsù.

Teamwork is a key factor for success.

任何事情要取得成功都需付出代价。

Rènhé shìqíng yào qǔdé chénggōng dōu xū fùchū dàijià.

To achieve success in anything, a price must be paid.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 戊

Component: 𠃌

Example Words