Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
成为(成為)chéngwéi(cheng2wei2)
成为 (chéngwéi) means 'to become' or 'to turn into.' It is commonly used to describe a transformation or change in state, such as when a person achieves a goal or when something morphs into another form. This verb is often found in contexts related to personal development, career progression, and changes in identity.
Strokes10Frequency#356DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of becoming someone often ties into traditional values of self-cultivation and the importance of personal achievement, such as in education and career.
Memory Tip
Think of 成 (chéng) as a path leading to a new identity. The character features a 'city' (城) that represents a place of achievement, while 为 (wéi) can be associated with 'to act as' or 'to serve as.' Imagine walking through the city to become the person you aspire to be.
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 成为
Quick Contrast
成就 (chéngjiù) - use 成为 when focusing on the process of becoming, while 成就 emphasizes the achievement or result of that process.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 成为 with other verbs like 变成 (biànchéng), which also means 'to become' but implies a more physical transformation. 成为 is more about achieving a state or role. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 成为 connects with other verbs of change and identity, such as 变 (biàn - to change) and 做 (zuò - to do). Students should focus on using it in sentences that describe personal goals or changes.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 成为 with 变成, leading to incorrect usage in contexts of status change. For example, saying '他变成了一个医生' (tā biàn chéng le yī gēn yī shēng) is incorrect for achieving a professional role; '他成为了一个医生' (tā chéng wéi le yī gè yī shēng) is correct.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 成为
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 成为 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 成为 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 成为?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 成为 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
成为 (chéngwéi) means 'to become' or 'to turn into.' It is commonly used to describe a transformation or change in state, such as when a person achieves a goal or when something morphs into another form. This verb is often found in contexts related to personal development, career progression, and changes in identity.
When to use 成为
Be careful not to confuse 成为 with other verbs like 变成 (biànchéng), which also means 'to become' but implies a more physical transformation. 成为 is more about achieving a state or role. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts.
成为 or something close to it
成就 (chéngjiù) - use 成为 when focusing on the process of becoming, while 成就 emphasizes the achievement or result of that process.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 成为 with 变成, leading to incorrect usage in contexts of status change. For example, saying '他变成了一个医生' (tā biàn chéng le yī gēn yī shēng) is incorrect for achieving a professional role; '他成为了一个医生' (tā chéng wéi le yī gè yī shēng) is correct.
Write 成为
成
为
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 成为 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 成为
成为 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
