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JLPT N16画 · 6 strokesradical 戈grade 4freq #116

turn into, become, get, grow

Also: elapse, reach

On'yomi (音読み)

  • セイ
  • ジョウ

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

  • な.る
  • な.す
  • -な.す

Mnemonic

As the spear (戈) strikes the earth, it causes a seed to transform into a flourishing plant, illustrating how things can change and grow.

About this kanji

The kanji 成 (seii, jou) primarily means "to become" or "to turn into." It is often used both as a verb and in nouns, indicating a change or development. Some common compounds include 完成 (かんせい), which means "completion," referring to something completed or finished; 既成 (きせい), meaning "established," used to describe something that has already been formed; and 形成 (けいせい), meaning "formation," which refers to the process of shaping or structuring something. A helpful usage note is that 成 is often used in contexts involving personal growth or achievement, indicating progress or reaching a goal.

Example sentences

  • 成功を成し遂げることが重要だ。

    Achieving success is important.

Meanings across languages

English
turn into, become, get, grow, elapse, reach
Tiếng Việt
trở thành, có được
日本語
成る, なる
한국어
성장하다, 수행하다
中文
成为, 达成
id
menjadi
th
กลายเป็น
es
convertirse
fr
devenir
de
werden
pt
tornar-se

Common compounds

  • 完成かんせいcompletion, perfection, accomplishment
  • 既成きせいestablished, existing, accomplished
  • 形成けいせいformation, molding, making (up)
  • 結成けっせいformation, combination
  • 構成こうせいcomposition, construction, formation
  • 作成さくせいmaking (a report, plan, contract, etc.), drawing up, writing out
  • 賛成さんせいapproval, agreement, support
  • 助成じょせいassisting, assistance, fostering

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