verb HSK 4
Traditional 成長
chéng zhǎng
to grow up · to mature · growth

Meaning

成长 refers to the process of growing, developing, and maturing, both physically and mentally. It's commonly used to describe children growing into adults, but also applies to personal development, emotional maturity, and even the growth of organizations or ideas. The word emphasizes the gradual, ongoing nature of development rather than a sudden change.

Usage

成长 is used in both literal contexts (children growing up) and figurative ones (personal development, career growth). It carries a positive connotation, suggesting progress and improvement. Common in educational, parenting, and self-improvement contexts. Often paired with words like 经历 (experience) or 过程 (process).

Examples

  1. 01
    孩子们在父母的关爱中健康成长
    Hái zi men zài de guān ài zhōng jiàn kāng chéng zhǎng.
    The children grow up healthily with their parents' care and love.
  2. 02
    这段经历让我成长了很多。
    Zhè duàn jīng ràng chéng zhǎng le hěn duō.
    This experience helped me grow a lot.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 成长过程
    chéng zhǎng guò chéng
    growth process
  • 健康成长
    jiàn kāng chéng zhǎng
    to grow up healthily
  • 快速成长
    kuài chéng zhǎng
    to grow rapidly
  • 在...中成长
    zài... zhōng chéng zhǎng
    to grow up in/through...

Antonyms

Origin

The compound combines 成 (to become/accomplish) with 长 (to grow), literally meaning 'to grow into maturity' or 'to become grown.' The concept captures both the process and the result of development.

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