成 calligraphy

成

surname Cheng; short name for Chengdu 成都[Cheng2 du1]; to succeed; to finish; to complete; to accomplish; to become; to turn into; to be all right; one tenth

Closest English meanings

become·accomplish·success

The Calligrapher — Yáng Shǒujìng 杨守敬

Qing scholar who bridged stele and model-book traditions.

Qing calligrapher (), master of running script/regular script — known for 《平碑记》. Qing dynasty

Cultural Story

成 is the thing brought to completion. The 易經 reads it as the settle of a matter, and the histories use 成功 for the campaign that actually ended. The character once showed a weapon and a man, the deed done. It is the finish that makes the effort legible.

Common words & phrases

  • 成功 success · succeed
  • 完成 complete · finish
  • 成长 grow · grow up
  • 成绩 result · grade
  • 成就 achievement
  • 成为 become

Read the story behind the character

In the modern world

成 is the daily yes-to-done: 成功 the pass, 完成 the form, 成长 the child, 成绩 the grade. 成就 is the career summed up, 成为 the thing you turned into. It names the arrival and the becoming, the result and the road, usually before the celebration.

Own this character

Purchase delivers the original SVG of this glyph, brushed by Yáng Shǒujìng 杨守敬, ready to place on skin, paper, or screen.