成家 chéngjiā to settle down and get married (of a man)
to settle down and get married (of a man); to become a recognized expert
How to remember 成家: 成 to become + 家 home = to settle down and get married (of a man).
Characters
How it is used
- To get married and start a family (traditionally said of a man) - 他三十岁才成家 (tā sānshí suì cái chéngjiā) he only settled down at thirty.
- Focuses on the life-stage of founding a household, not just the wedding day (结婚, jiéhūn); implies putting down roots.
- Often in 成家立业 (chéngjiā-lìyè) marry and build a career - see next entry.
Example sentences
- 您成家了吗？ Nín chéngjiā le ma?Are you married?