HSK · Level 12
135 words
Chinese word
成年
Pronunciation
Pinyinchéng nián
Meaning
- verbbecome an adult
Example
他已经成年了。tā yǐ jīng chéng nián le
He has already become an adult.
More examples
法院认定他已成年，因此具备完全民事行为能力。fǎ yuàn rèn dìng tā yǐ chéng nián yīn cǐ jù bèi wán quán mín shì xíng wéi néng lì
The court ruled that he had become an adult and therefore had full legal capacity in civil matters.
Core concept
A transition across the age boundary that brings the rights and duties of adult status.
Common phrases
被视为成年bèi shì wéi chéng nián
be considered an adult
在法律上成年zài fǎ lǜ shàng chéng nián
be an adult under the law
Similar words
成人chéng rén: Become recognized and treated as an adult.
年满nián mǎn: Reach a specified age and meet an age-based condition.
成熟chéng shú: Become fully developed in character, ability, or judgment.
Definition in Chinese
达到法律或社会认定的成年年龄，成为具有独立权利和义务的成年人。dá dào fǎ lǜ huò shè huì rèn dìng de chéng nián nián líng chéng wéi jù yǒu dú lì quán lì hé yì wù de chéng nián rén
Word origin
成 (chéng, "become") + 年 (nián, "age") presents adulthood as reaching the age at which a person is recognized as an adult.
Usage tips
- In everyday conversation, speakers often state a specific age when the number matters, while this word describes the general status reached at that point.
Other meanings
- adultnoun
- adulthoodnoun
Related words
- 成年人chéng nián rénadultnoun
- 成年礼chéng nián lǐcoming-of-age ceremonynoun