成 — Become, Form, Accomplish

Meaning

This lesson introduces the kanji 成 (せい / じょう / な.る / な.す), a fundamental character in Japanese with a broad range of meanings. At its core, 成 signifies 'to become,' 'to form,' 'to accomplish,' 'to succeed,' or 'to complete.' It represents transformation and achievement, denoting movement from one state to another or the successful culmination of something.

The origin of 成 is quite intriguing. Its ancient form is believed to have depicted a person (人) holding a halberd or spear (戈). This imagery suggested 'accomplishment' or 'completion' through deliberate effort, perhaps in battle or by using a tool to finish a task. Over time, the depiction simplified to its modern six-stroke form. However, that original sense of intentional action leading to a result remains deeply embedded in its meaning. It's not merely about things happening, but about things being brought into existence or reaching a desired state.

Thus, when you encounter 成, envision something evolving, growing, or successfully concluding. It's a kanji that embodies progress and positive outcomes. With only 6 strokes, this kanji is taught in Grade 4 of elementary school, meaning you will frequently encounter it in your studies and daily life.

Readings

Understanding kanji readings is crucial for expanding your vocabulary. 成 has both On'yomi (Chinese-derived) and Kun'yomi (native Japanese) readings.

On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings

The On'yomi readings for 成 are typically used when 成 is part of a compound word, especially when combined with other kanji of Chinese origin.

セイ (SEI): This is the most common On'yomi reading for 成, appearing in a wide array of vocabulary related to success, growth, and completion.

成功せいこう (seikō) — This means 'success.' For example, if you aim to achieve something, you strive for 成功せいこう.
成長せいちょう (seichō) — Meaning 'growth' or 'development,' often used for people, animals, or even economic growth.
完成かんせい (kansei) — This signifies 'completion' or 'perfection,' such as finishing a project or a piece of art.

ジョウ (JOU): This reading is less common than セイ but still appears in significant vocabulary, often carrying a nuance of 'accomplishment' or 'attainment.'

成就じょうじゅ (jōju) — This refers to 'accomplishment,' 'fulfillment,' or 'realization,' frequently used for dreams or desires. For instance, 夢ゆめを成就じょうじゅする (yume o jōju suru - to fulfill a dream).
落成らくせい (rakusei) — This term means 'completion of construction' (e.g., a building). While 成 is read as セイ in many compounds, it's good to be aware of less common readings like ジョウ in specific historical or technical contexts, even though for modern common words, セイ is far more prevalent.

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

The Kun'yomi readings are native Japanese words associated with the kanji. They frequently appear with okurigana (送り仮名), which are the hiragana characters attached to the kanji.

な.る (na.ru): This is an intransitive verb meaning 'to become,' 'to turn into,' or 'to amount to.' It describes a change of state or transformation.

成るなる (naru) — to become. For example, 大人おとなに成るなる (otona ni naru - to become an adult).
〇〇に成る〇〇になる (〇〇 ni naru) — a common pattern expressing transformation, like 医者いしゃに成るなる (isha ni naru - to become a doctor).

な.す (na.su): This is a transitive verb meaning 'to accomplish,' 'to achieve,' 'to form,' or 'to do.' It implies actively bringing something about or completing a task.

成すなす (nasu) — to accomplish, to form. For instance, 目的もくてきを成すなす (mokuteki o nasu - to achieve a goal/purpose).
事を成すことをなす (koto o nasu) — to accomplish a task.

-な.す (-na.su): This reading often appears as part of compound verbs, conveying the nuance of "to complete" or "to accomplish." A common example is 成なし遂とげる (nashitogeru - to achieve, to accomplish fully), where 成 functions as a prefix to the verb 遂とげる.

Common Words & Compounds

The following examples illustrate how 成 is used in various contexts, from daily conversation to more formal situations. Grouping them by theme can aid memorization.

Achievement & Success

成功せいこう (seikō) — success. 彼かれの事業じぎょうは大成功だいせいこうだった。 (His business was a great success.)
達成たっせい (tassei) — achievement, accomplishment. 目標もくひょうを達成たっせいする。 (To achieve a goal.)
成就じょうじゅ (jōju) — fulfillment, realization (often of dreams or desires). 夢ゆめを成就じょうじゅする。 (To fulfill a dream.)

Growth & Development

成長せいちょう (seichō) — growth, development. 子供こどもたちの成長せいちょうを見守みまもる。 (To watch children grow.)
育成いくせい (ikusei) — rearing, training, cultivation. 人材じんざいの育成いくせいに力ちからを入いれる。 (To put effort into fostering human resources.)
養成ようせい (yōsei) — training, instruction, development. 教師きょうし養成ようせい学校がっこう。 (Teacher training school.)

Completion & Formation

完成かんせい (kansei) — completion, perfection. 新あたらしいビルびるが完成かんせいした。 (The new building was completed.)
成立せいりつ (seiritsu) — formation, establishment, coming into existence. 契約けいやくが成立せいりつする。 (A contract is formed/established.)
形成けいせい (keisei) — formation, shaping, development. 文化ぶんかの形成けいせい。 (The formation of culture.)

Status & Results

成人せいじん (seijin) — adult, coming of age. 彼かれは昨年さくねん成人せいじんした。 (He became an adult last year.)
未成年みせいねん (miseinen) — minor (underage). 未成年みせいねんの飲酒いんしゅは禁止きんしされています。 (Underage drinking is prohibited.)
成績せいせき (seiseki) — results, grades. 試験しけんの成績せいせきが良よかった。 (My exam results were good.)

Example Sentences

Here are some natural Japanese sentences demonstrating 成 in action. Notice how the context changes with different readings and compound words.

努力どりょくすれば、夢ゆめは現実げんじつに成なる。

Doryoku sureba, yume wa genjitsu ni naru.

If you make an effort, your dreams will come true (become reality).

彼かれは立派りっぱな大人おとなに成長せいちょうしました。

Kare wa rippa na otona ni seichō shimashita.

He grew up to be a fine adult.

新あたらしい文化ぶんかが形成けいせいされつつあります。

Atarashii bunka ga keisei saretsutsu arimasu.

A new culture is in the process of being formed.

努力どりょくすれば、目標もくひょうは達成たっせいできると信しんじています。

Doryoku sureba, mokuhyō wa tassei dekiru to shinjite imasu.

I believe that if you make an effort, you can achieve your goals.

この計画けいかくは無事ぶじに成立せいりつしました。

Kono keikaku wa buji ni seiritsu shimashita.

This plan was successfully established/came into effect.

彼かれは仕事しごとで大おおきな成功せいこうを収おさめました。

Kare wa shigoto de ōkina seikō o osamemashita.

He achieved great success in his work.

作品さくひんの完成かんせいまであと少すこしです。

Sakuhin no kansei made ato sukoshi desu.

The work is almost complete.

彼かれは目標もくひょうを見事みごとに成なし遂とげました。

Kare wa mokuhyō o migoto ni nashitogemashita.

He splendidly accomplished his goal.

好よい成績せいせきを取とるためには、毎日まいにち勉強べんきょうする必要ひつようがあります。

Yoi seiseki o toru tame ni wa, mainichi benkyō suru hitsuyō ga arimasu.

In order to get good grades, it is necessary to study every day.

今年ことしで成人せいじんになるので、責任感せきにんかんを持もちたいです。

Kotoshi de seijin ni naru node, sekininkan o mochitai desu.

Since I'm becoming an adult this year, I want to have a sense of responsibility.

Memory Tip

To remember 成, visualize its components. The top left part (simplified from 勹 or 厂 plus a line) can be interpreted as a person (imagine a slightly curved human form). The right part, 戈 (ほこづくり), is the radical for 'halberd' or 'spear.' Picture this person actively wielding a powerful spear! They aren't just holding it; they are using it to accomplish something great, to form a new path, or to become victorious. The act of using such a tool implies deliberate action leading to successful completion. This mnemonic emphasizes proactive transformation and achieving goals: a person + a weapon = accomplishment!