成为 chéngwéi become
become; turn into
How to remember 成为: 成 to become + 为 for = become.
Characters
How it is used
- 'To become, turn into' - always takes a noun complement: 成为医生 (chéngwéi yīshēng) become a doctor, 成为现实 (chéngwéi xiànshí) become reality.
- Contrast 变成 (biànchéng): 变成 stresses transformation/change of form, 成为 stresses attaining a new status/role, often positive.
- 成为 is more formal/written than 变成; it cannot take an adjective (say 变红 not 成为红).
Example sentences
- 您想成为什么？ Nín xiǎng chéngwéi shénme?What do you want to be?
- 你想成为什么？ Nǐ xiǎng chéngwéi shénme?What do you want to be?
- 她成为一名护士。 Tā chéngwéi yī míng hùshi.She's become a nurse.