Usage note
成年表示长大成为成年人。
chéng nián biǎo shì zhǎng dà chéng wéi chéng nián rén。
成年 means to become an adult.
Context note
成年常用于年龄、法律和成长。
chéng nián cháng yòng yú nián líng 、 fǎ lǜ hé chéng zhǎng。
It is often used for age, law, and growing up.
5 examples
他已经成年了。
tā yǐ jīng chéng nián le。
He is already an adult.
成年后要更负责。
chéng nián hòu yào gèng fù zé。
After becoming an adult, you need to be more responsible.
这本书适合成年人。
zhè běn shū shì hé chéng nián rén。
This book is suitable for adults.
成年礼很特别。
chéng nián lǐ hěn tè bié。
The coming-of-age ceremony is special.
成年以后要学会独立。
chéng nián yǐ hòu yào xué huì dú lì。
After adulthood, you need to learn independence.
5 mini stories
她成年后开始工作。
tā chéng nián hòu kāi shǐ gōng zuò。
She started working after becoming an adult.
老师提醒大家成年后要承担责任。
lǎo shī tí xǐng dà jiā chéng nián hòu yào chéng dān zé rèn。
The teacher reminded everyone that adults must take responsibility.
这个节目主要给成年观众看。
zhè ge jié mù zhǔ yào gěi chéng nián guān zhòng kàn。
This program is mainly for adult viewers.
成年并不只是年龄变化。
chéng nián bìng bù zhǐ shì nián líng biàn huà。
Adulthood is not just a change in age.
他在成年后学会了自己做决定。
tā zài chéng nián hòu xué huì le zì jǐ zuò jué dìng。
After becoming an adult, he learned to make his own decisions.
Mini dialogue
长大以后
A
你成年以后想做什么？
Nǐ chéngnián yǐhòu xiǎng zuò shénme?
What do you want to do after you become an adult?
B
我成年以后想当老师。
Wǒ chéngnián yǐhòu xiǎng dāng lǎoshī.
After I become an adult, I want to be a teacher.
姐姐的生日
A
姐姐今年成年了吗？
Jiějie jīnnián chéngnián le ma?
Did older sister become an adult this year?
B
对，她刚满十八岁，已经成年了。
Duì, tā gāng mǎn shíbā suì, yǐjīng chéngnián le.
Yes, she just turned eighteen and is already an adult.
Related words and contrasts
related
长大
zhǎng dà
grow up
The process of becoming an adult.
opposite
未成年
wèi chéng nián
minor, underage
A person who is not yet an adult.