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B1 verb #1,500 most common 11 min read

造成

zaocheng Top 1,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 造成 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 造成 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '造成' (zàochéng) very often, but you might see it in simple signs or news. Think of it as a formal way to say 'make' or 'do' when the result is something bad. For example, if there is a big rain and the road is closed, that is a '造成' situation. It's like saying 'A makes B happen,' where B is a problem. You can remember it as 'make + bad thing.' Even though you might usually use '让' (ràng) or '使' (shǐ) to say 'make,' '造成' is more specific for results like 'traffic' or 'problems.' Just remember: [Bad Event] + 造成 + [Problem]. It's a 'heavy' word, so we don't use it for small things like 'making a sandwich.' We use it for 'making a mess' or 'making a mistake' in a more serious way. If you see it, look for the word after it—it will tell you what the problem is.

At the A2 level, you can start using '造成' (zàochéng) to describe simple cause-and-effect relationships involving problems. It is a verb that means 'to cause' or 'to create,' but it is almost always used for negative things. You might use it to talk about the weather causing trouble, or a mistake causing a problem. A common pattern is 'A 造成了 B.' For example, '大雨造成了交通堵塞' (Heavy rain caused a traffic jam). Here, '大雨' is the cause, and '交通堵塞' is the bad result. Notice the '了' (le) after '造成'—this is very common because we are usually talking about a result that has already happened. You should avoid using it for good things. Don't say 'He caused me to be happy.' Instead, use it for things like 'damage' (破坏), 'loss' (损失), or 'trouble' (麻烦). It's a great word to make your Chinese sound more adult and serious than just using '做' (zuò).

At the B1 level, '造成' (zàochéng) becomes an essential part of your vocabulary for discussing social issues, accidents, and professional problems. You should understand that its primary function is to link a cause to a negative consequence. One important structure to master at this level is '给...造成...' (gěi... zàochéng...). This allows you to specify who or what is being affected. For example, '这次错误给公司造成了很大的损失' (This mistake caused a great loss to the company). Here, '给公司' tells us who suffered the loss. You should also start distinguishing '造成' from other similar words like '引起' (yǐnqǐ). While '引起' is neutral and often used for reactions (like '引起注意' - catch attention), '造成' is specifically for outcomes that are undesirable. You will find '造成' frequently in HSK 3 and 4 materials, news reports, and formal letters. It's a 'transitive verb,' meaning it almost always needs a noun after it. Mastering this word helps you move from simple descriptions to explaining the impact of events.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use '造成' (zàochéng) with precision in both writing and speaking. You should be comfortable using it in formal contexts, such as business reports or academic essays. At this level, you should pair '造成' with more sophisticated abstract nouns. Instead of just '造成问题' (causing problems), you might use '造成负面影响' (causing a negative influence), '造成资源浪费' (causing a waste of resources), or '造成心理压力' (causing psychological pressure). You should also understand the nuance between '造成' and '导致' (dǎozhì). While both are negative, '导致' can often be followed by a verb or a whole clause (e.g., '导致他不得不离开' - led to him having to leave), whereas '造成' typically takes a noun phrase. Furthermore, you should be aware of its use in passive-like structures or as part of a '是...造成的' (is caused by...) construction to emphasize the cause. For example, '这些问题都是由于缺乏沟通造成的' (These problems are all caused by a lack of communication). This level of mastery allows you to discuss complex causality with the appropriate formal tone.

At the C1 level, your use of '造成' (zàochéng) should be indistinguishable from a native speaker's in formal registers. You should understand its semantic prosody deeply—the way it colors the entire sentence with a sense of gravity or culpability. You can use it to discuss systemic issues, such as how '政策的滞后造成了社会不公' (the lag in policy caused social injustice). At this level, you should also be able to use it in more nuanced ways, such as describing the '造成' of a specific '局面' (situation/aspect) or '现象' (phenomenon). You should also be able to contrast it effectively with more literary or specialized synonyms like '致使' (zhìshǐ - formal/legal 'cause') or '酿成' (niàngchéng - to lead to a disaster, literally 'to brew'). For instance, you might use '酿成' for a tragedy and '造成' for a financial loss. Your ability to choose '造成' over '引起' or '产生' in a complex sentence will demonstrate your high-level grasp of Chinese lexical collocations and stylistic requirements. You should also be able to use it in the '给...造成...' structure with abstract entities like '给国际关系造成了阴影' (cast a shadow over international relations).

At the C2 level, '造成' (zàochéng) is a tool for sophisticated rhetorical expression. You understand not only its primary negative usage but also its rare, specialized neutral uses in technical or scientific literature (e.g., describing geological formations or the '造成' of a physical state). You can use '造成' to construct complex arguments about causality in philosophy, economics, or high-level politics. You are aware of the subtle differences in tone when '造成' is used in an official government white paper versus a legal indictment. You can use it to attribute responsibility with surgical precision, or conversely, use it in the passive '是...所造成的' to shift focus onto the underlying causes of a crisis. Your mastery includes knowing when *not* to use it to avoid sounding repetitive in a long discourse, perhaps alternating with '引发' (yǐnfā), '招致' (zhāozhì), or '促成' (cùchéng) to maintain lexical variety while maintaining the exact intended nuance. At this level, '造成' is no longer just a vocabulary word; it's a structural element you use to weave together complex narratives of cause and effect in the most formal and high-stakes communication environments.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

造成 in 30 Seconds

造成 (zàochéng) is a verb meaning 'to cause,' used almost exclusively for negative outcomes like damage, loss, or problems.
It follows the pattern [Cause] + 造成 + [Negative Result], often appearing with '了' to indicate a completed action.
Commonly used in formal contexts like news, business, and academic writing to attribute responsibility for unfortunate events.
A key structure is '给...造成...', which specifies the person or entity affected by the negative result.

The Chinese verb 造成 (zàochéng) is a foundational term in intermediate and advanced Mandarin, primarily used to describe the process of bringing about a specific result or consequence. While it can be translated simply as 'to cause,' 'to create,' or 'to give rise to,' its semantic prosody is heavily weighted toward the negative. In the vast majority of contexts, 造成 is followed by a noun phrase representing an undesirable outcome, such as damage, loss, misunderstanding, or a crisis. Understanding this word requires more than just knowing its English equivalent; it requires a feel for the 'weight' of the consequences it introduces.

Core Meaning: To result in or give rise to a state of affairs, typically one that is problematic or harmful. It connects a specific action or event (the cause) to a tangible or abstract negative effect.

由于天气原因，这次事故造成了严重的交通拥堵。(Due to weather reasons, this accident caused serious traffic congestion.)

Etymologically, the word is composed of two characters: 造 (zào), meaning 'to build,' 'to make,' or 'to create,' and 成 (chéng), meaning 'to finish,' 'to complete,' or 'to become.' Together, they imply a process that has reached a definitive conclusion or state. Unlike the neutral '引起' (yǐnqǐ - to lead to/trigger), 造成 suggests a more substantial and often irreversible impact. For instance, you might '引起' someone's attention (neutral/positive), but you '造成' a financial loss (negative).

Grammatical Structure: Subject (Cause) + 造成 + Object (Negative Result). The subject can be a person, an event, or a situation.

他的疏忽造成了不可挽回的损失。(His negligence caused irreparable loss.)

In formal writing, such as news reports or academic papers, 造成 is the standard way to attribute responsibility for negative phenomena. It provides a clear link between agency and outcome. For example, in environmental science, one might discuss how deforestation 造成 soil erosion. In economics, a policy change might 造成 market volatility. The word's versatility across domains makes it an essential tool for precise communication.

Semantic Nuance: It emphasizes the finality of the result. Once something is '造成'-ed, the focus is on the existence of that new, usually bad, reality.

战争给当地人民造成了巨大的痛苦。(The war caused great suffering to the local people.)

To truly master 造成, one must also understand what it is not. It is not used for positive surprises or happy accidents. You wouldn't say a gift '造成' happiness; instead, you would use '带来' (dàilái - to bring). This distinction is vital for achieving a natural-sounding Chinese register. By consistently pairing 造成 with negative nouns, learners develop the 'collocational intuition' necessary for B1 level proficiency and beyond.

错误的信息造成了误会。(Wrong information caused a misunderstanding.)

长期的压力会对身体造成伤害。(Long-term stress will cause harm to the body.)

Using 造成 (zàochéng) correctly involves mastering its specific grammatical patterns and understanding its collocational preferences. As a verb, it functions as the bridge between a cause and a negative effect. The most common structure is: [Cause] + 造成 + [Negative Result]. This result is almost always a noun or a noun phrase. Unlike some other 'cause' verbs in Chinese, 造成 rarely takes a full clause as its object.

Pattern 1: Direct Causation: This is the simplest form, where an event directly leads to a bad outcome.
Example: 洪水造成了严重的破坏。(The flood caused serious destruction.)

环境污染给生态系统造成了威胁。(Environmental pollution has caused a threat to the ecosystem.)

A key feature of 造成 is its interaction with the preposition 给 (gěi). Often, the structure is: [Cause] + 给 + [Affected Party] + 造成 + [Negative Result]. This is particularly common when discussing the impact on people, organizations, or specific entities. For instance, '给公司造成损失' (caused loss to the company) or '给学生造成压力' (caused pressure to the students).

Pattern 2: Passive or Indirect Impact: Sometimes the 'cause' is an abstract situation.
Example: 这种政策的改变造成了市场的不稳定。(This change in policy caused market instability.)

由于管理不善，工厂造成了大量的浪费。(Due to poor management, the factory caused a lot of waste.)

In terms of tense and aspect, 造成 is frequently used with the aspect marker 了 (le) because it often refers to a result that has already occurred or a state that has been established. However, it can also be used in the future tense with '会' (huì) or '将' (jiāng) to predict negative outcomes. For example, '如果不注意，会造成危险' (If you don't pay attention, it will cause danger).

Common Collocations: - 造成损失 (zàochéng sǔnshī) - cause loss
- 造成影响 (zàochéng yǐngxiǎng) - cause an impact (usually negative)
- 造成伤害 (zàochéng shānghài) - cause injury/harm
- 造成误解 (zàochéng wùjiě) - cause misunderstanding
- 造成死亡 (zàochéng sǐwáng) - cause death

这次罢工给城市交通造成了瘫痪。(This strike caused a paralysis of city traffic.)

One subtle point: while 造成 is primarily negative, in very technical or scientific contexts, it can occasionally be used more neutrally to describe the formation of a physical state (e.g., geological formations), but for language learners, sticking to the negative rule is the safest and most accurate path. Avoid using it for positive results like '造成成功' (incorrect); instead, use '取得成功' (qǔdé chénggōng - achieve success).

他的言论在社会上造成了极坏的影响。(His remarks caused an extremely bad influence in society.)

The word 造成 (zàochéng) is ubiquitous in formal and semi-formal Chinese communication. It is a staple of news broadcasts, official reports, academic discussions, and professional environments. Because it deals with consequences and causality, it is the 'go-to' word whenever someone needs to explain why something went wrong or what the impact of a particular event is.

1. News and Media: Journalists use 造成 constantly to report on accidents, natural disasters, and economic shifts. You will hear it in phrases like '地震造成了数百人伤亡' (The earthquake caused hundreds of casualties) or '台风造成了电力中断' (The typhoon caused power outages).

据报道，这次火灾造成了巨大的财产损失。(According to reports, this fire caused huge property damage.)

In the workplace, 造成 is used in meetings and emails to discuss project delays, budget overruns, or operational errors. It allows for a clear, professional attribution of cause. For example, a manager might say, '由于供应链问题，造成了生产延误' (Due to supply chain issues, production delays were caused). It sounds more objective and formal than using colloquial terms.

2. Academic and Scientific Writing: In research papers, 造成 is used to describe the results of experiments or the effects of variables. '这种化学反应会造成沉淀' (This chemical reaction will cause precipitation) or '过度捕捞造成了鱼类资源的枯竭' (Overfishing caused the depletion of fish resources).

温室效应造成了全球气候变暖。(The greenhouse effect caused global warming.)

You will also encounter 造成 in legal and medical contexts. In law, it's used to define liability (e.g., '造成人身伤害' - causing personal injury). In medicine, it describes the effects of diseases or lifestyle choices (e.g., '吸烟会造成肺部损伤' - smoking causes lung damage). Its presence in these fields underscores its role as a precise, serious word.

3. Daily Life (Formal Situations): While less common in casual slang, people use it when making complaints or explaining serious mistakes. '你的迟到给我们造成了很大的麻烦' (Your lateness has caused us a lot of trouble).

由于技术故障，给您的使用造成了不便，我们深表歉意。(We deeply apologize for the inconvenience caused to your use due to technical failure.)

In summary, 造成 is the language of responsibility and consequence. Whether it's a weather report, a business analysis, or a formal apology, this word provides the necessary structure to link an action to its often-unfortunate result. Its frequency in high-level HSK materials and professional Chinese reflects its importance in navigating the more serious aspects of Chinese society.

The most frequent error learners make with 造成 (zàochéng) is ignoring its 'negative semantic prosody.' Because English 'cause' can be neutral or even positive (e.g., 'you cause me so much joy'), learners often try to use 造成 in positive contexts. This sounds jarring and incorrect to native speakers. Understanding the 'bad vibes' of 造成 is the first step to avoiding mistakes.

Mistake 1: Using it for Positive Results: Incorrect: 他的努力造成了成功。(His efforts caused success.)
Correct: 他的努力带来了成功。(His efforts brought success.) or 他的努力促成了成功。(His efforts facilitated success.)

Wrong: 老师的帮助造成了我的进步。
Right: 老师的帮助促使了我的进步。(The teacher's help prompted my progress.)

Another common mistake is confusing 造成 with similar verbs like 导致 (dǎozhì), 引起 (yǐnqǐ), and 产生 (chǎnshēng). While they all mean 'to cause' in some sense, their usage differs. 导致 is very similar to 造成 but often introduces a more complex situation or a clause. 引起 is more neutral and is often used for reactions (like '引起注意' - catch attention). 产生 is used for the emergence of abstract things (like '产生兴趣' - develop interest).

Mistake 2: Incorrect Object Type: Incorrect: 造成他没去上课。(Caused him not to go to class.)
Correct: 导致他没去上课。(Led to him not going to class.)
Note: 造成 usually takes a noun, while 导致 can take a clause.

Wrong: 这件事造成我很生气。
Right: 这件事让我很生气。(This thing made me angry.)

Learners also sometimes forget the 给 (gěi) structure when an affected party is involved. Saying '造成公司损失' is okay, but '给公司造成损失' is much more idiomatic. Omitting '给' can make the sentence feel slightly disjointed or overly simplistic in a formal context.

Mistake 3: Redundancy: Sometimes learners use 造成 with other words that already imply causation, like '因为...造成了...的原因' (Because... caused the reason of...). This is redundant. Just say '因为...造成了...' or '...是造成...的原因'.

Wrong: 他的粗心是造成失败的原因的原因。
Right: 他的粗心是造成失败的原因。(His carelessness is the reason that caused the failure.)

Finally, be careful with the character 造. It's often confused with 做 (zuò) or 找 (zhǎo) by beginners. Ensure you are writing the correct characters to avoid confusing your reader. 造成 is a specific compound that cannot be broken apart or substituted with '做成' (which means to successfully complete a task) without changing the meaning entirely.

In Chinese, there are several ways to express 'cause' or 'result in.' Choosing the right one depends on the context, the formality, and whether the result is positive, negative, or neutral. 造成 (zàochéng) sits in a cluster of similar verbs, and distinguishing them is key to advanced fluency.

1. 造成 vs. 导致 (dǎozhì): Both are used for negative results. However, 导致 often implies a chain of events or a logical consequence and can be followed by a verb phrase or a clause. 造成 is more often followed by a concrete noun representing the final result.
Example: 导致他决定辞职 (led to his decision to resign) vs. 造成经济损失 (caused economic loss).

长期熬夜导致了他的健康恶化。(Long-term late nights led to his health deteriorating.)

2. 造成 vs. 引起 (yǐnqǐ): 引起 is much more neutral. It means 'to trigger' or 'to give rise to' a reaction, attention, or interest. It doesn't necessarily imply a bad outcome.
Example: 引起大家的注意 (catch everyone's attention) vs. 造成大家的困扰 (cause everyone trouble).

这个话题引起了广泛的讨论。(This topic triggered widespread discussion.)

3. 造成 vs. 产生 (chǎnshēng): 产生 usually refers to the emergence of something abstract, like feelings, ideas, or physical forces. It is neutral.
Example: 产生误会 (a misunderstanding arose - slightly negative but focuses on the emergence) vs. 造成误会 (caused a misunderstanding - focuses on the action that led to it).

这种新方法产生了很好的效果。(This new method produced good results.)

4. 造成 vs. 带来 (dàilái): 带来 is the most versatile. It can be used for positive, negative, or neutral things. If you are unsure and the result is positive, use 带来.
Example: 带来好消息 (bring good news) vs. 造成坏结果 (cause bad results).

Understanding these differences allows you to be much more precise. For example, in a medical context, you might say a virus 引起 (triggers) a fever, which 导致 (leads to) the patient being unable to work, eventually 造成 (causing) a loss of income. Each word captures a different stage and flavor of the causal chain.

他的话引起了我的怀疑，最后造成了我们的分手。(His words triggered my suspicion, and finally caused our breakup.)

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Causal conjunctions (因为, 由于)

The '给' preposition for affected parties

Resultative complements (though 造成 is a word, '成' acts as a resultative component)

The '是...的' construction for emphasis

Examples by Level

大雨造成了交通问题。

Heavy rain caused traffic problems.

Simple Subject + Verb + Object structure.

他的错误造成了麻烦。

His mistake caused trouble.

Use of '了' to show the result has happened.

停电造成了不便。

The power cut caused inconvenience.

Abstract noun '不便' as the object.

洪水造成了破坏。

The flood caused destruction.

Concrete noun '破坏' as the object.

人多造成了拥挤。

Too many people caused crowding.

Cause is a simple noun phrase.

大雪造成了延误。

Heavy snow caused delays.

Common travel-related context.

粗心造成了事故。

Carelessness caused an accident.

Abstract cause '粗心'.

干旱造成了缺水。

Drought caused water shortage.

Natural disaster context.

这次事故造成了两人受伤。

This accident caused two people to be injured.

造成 + [Number] + [Noun] for casualties.

由于天气不好，造成了航班取消。

Due to bad weather, flights were cancelled.

Using '由于' (due to) to introduce the cause.

他的话造成了大家的误会。

His words caused everyone's misunderstanding.

Possessive '大家的' modifying the object.

环境污染给鱼类造成了伤害。

Environmental pollution caused harm to fish.

Introduction of the '给...造成...' structure.

这个决定造成了很大的浪费。

This decision caused a lot of waste.

Using '很大的' to emphasize the scale.

火灾造成了严重的财产损失。

The fire caused serious property damage.

Formal noun phrase '财产损失'.

网络问题造成了工作中断。

Network problems caused work interruption.

Modern workplace context.

这种病会给身体造成压力。

This disease will cause stress to the body.

Using '会' for potential/future results.

长期的压力给他的健康造成了负面影响。

Long-term stress has caused a negative impact on his health.

Complex noun phrase '负面影响' as object.

由于缺乏沟通，给团队合作造成了困难。

Due to a lack of communication, difficulties were caused for teamwork.

Structure: [Cause] + 给 [Entity] + 造成 + [Noun].

这次金融危机给全球经济造成了沉重打击。

This financial crisis dealt a heavy blow to the global economy.

Idiomatic object '沉重打击' (heavy blow).

不正确的坐姿会给脊柱造成损伤。

Incorrect sitting posture can cause damage to the spine.

Scientific/Health context.

这种误解是由于翻译错误造成的。

This misunderstanding was caused by a translation error.

Passive-like '是...造成的' construction.

过度开发给自然环境造成了不可逆的破坏。

Over-development has caused irreversible damage to the natural environment.

Use of '不可逆' (irreversible) as a modifier.

他的迟到给会议的进行造成了干扰。

His lateness caused an interference with the progress of the meeting.

Abstract noun '干扰' (interference).

信息不对称给消费者造成了损失。

Information asymmetry caused losses to consumers.

Economic term '信息不对称'.

该政策的实施在社会上造成了广泛的争议。

The implementation of this policy caused widespread controversy in society.

Using '在...上' to specify the scope of the impact.

这种药物的副作用可能会给病人造成额外的痛苦。

The side effects of this drug may cause additional suffering to patients.

Modal verb '可能会' (might).

管理层的决策失误给公司造成了巨大的声誉损失。

The management's decision-making error caused a huge loss of reputation for the company.

Specific noun '声誉损失' (reputation loss).

长期的干旱给当地农业造成了毁灭性的打击。

The long-term drought dealt a devastating blow to local agriculture.

Strong adjective '毁灭性' (devastating).

言语不当往往会给他人造成心理上的伤害。

Inappropriate words often cause psychological harm to others.

Adverb '往往' (often) and '心理上的' (psychological).

技术故障给整个生产线造成了瘫痪。

A technical fault caused the entire production line to be paralyzed.

Metaphorical use of '瘫痪' (paralysis).

这种不公平的待遇给员工造成了极大的心理落差。

This unfair treatment caused a huge psychological gap for employees.

Abstract psychological term '心理落差'.

历史遗留问题给两国关系造成了障碍。

Issues left over from history have caused obstacles to the relationship between the two countries.

Political/Diplomatic context.

这种经济模式的不可持续性最终造成了市场的崩溃。

The unsustainability of this economic model eventually caused the market collapse.

Abstract subject '不可持续性'.

教育资源的不均衡分配给底层社会造成了阶层固化。

The unequal distribution of educational resources has caused class solidification in the lower levels of society.

Sociological term '阶层固化'.

他的偏见给客观的科学研究造成了干扰。

His bias caused interference with objective scientific research.

Abstract noun '偏见' (bias).

战争不仅造成了人员伤亡，还给文化遗产造成了不可磨灭的损失。

War not only caused casualties but also caused indelible losses to cultural heritage.

Parallel structure with '不仅...还...'.

这种思维定式给创新造成了严重的束缚。

This fixed mindset has caused a serious constraint on innovation.

Metaphorical '束缚' (shackles/constraint).

信息茧房的形成给社会共识的达成造成了挑战。

The formation of information cocoons has caused challenges to reaching social consensus.

Modern sociological term '信息茧房'.

法律漏洞给不法分子造成了可乘之机。

Legal loopholes have provided opportunities for criminals.

Idiom '可乘之机' (opportunity to exploit).

长期的过度开采给地质结构造成了隐患。

Long-term over-exploitation has caused hidden dangers to the geological structure.

Technical term '隐患' (hidden danger).

全球化进程中的利益失衡给多边贸易体系造成了结构性冲击。

The imbalance of interests in the process of globalization has caused a structural shock to the multilateral trading system.

High-level academic vocabulary '结构性冲击'.

这种意识形态的对立给地区安全局势造成了动荡不安的局面。

This ideological opposition has caused a situation of turmoil in the regional security situation.

Formal phrase '动荡不安的局面'.

资本的无序扩张给行业生态造成了毁灭性的打击。

The disorderly expansion of capital has dealt a devastating blow to the industry ecosystem.

Political-economic term '资本的无序扩张'.

官僚主义的盛行给行政效率造成了极大的损耗。

The prevalence of bureaucracy has caused a huge loss in administrative efficiency.

Abstract concept '官僚主义'.

气候变化的连锁反应给生物多样性造成了前所未有的威胁。

The chain reaction of climate change has caused an unprecedented threat to biodiversity.

Complex noun phrase '前所未有的威胁'.

算法偏见给人工智能的伦理应用造成了严峻的考验。

Algorithmic bias has caused a severe test for the ethical application of artificial intelligence.

Cutting-edge tech context '算法偏见'.

历史叙事的断裂给民族认同感的构建造成了困惑。

The fragmentation of historical narrative has caused confusion in the construction of national identity.

Humanities/Sociology context.

这种排他性的政策给国际人才的流动造成了人为的壁垒。

This exclusive policy has created artificial barriers to the flow of international talent.

Metaphorical '人为的壁垒' (artificial barriers).

Synonyms

导致引起诱发酿成

Antonyms

避免防止消除

Common Collocations

造成损失 (cause loss)

造成伤害 (cause harm)

造成影响 (cause impact)

造成误解 (cause misunderstanding)

造成破坏 (cause destruction)

造成死亡 (cause death)

造成延误 (cause delay)

造成压力 (cause pressure)

造成不便 (cause inconvenience)

造成混乱 (cause chaos)

Common Phrases

造成了...的局面 (caused a situation of...)

给...造成困扰 (cause trouble for...)

造成不可挽回的损失 (cause irreparable loss)

造成极坏的影响 (cause a very bad influence)

造成严重后果 (cause serious consequences)

是...造成的 (is caused by...)

造成直接经济损失 (cause direct economic loss)

造成人身伤害 (cause personal injury)

造成环境污染 (cause environmental pollution)

造成交通堵塞 (cause traffic jam)

Often Confused With

造成 vs 做成 (zuòchéng) - to successfully complete a task

造成 vs 造成 (zàochéng) - to cause a (negative) result

造成 vs 组成 (zǔchéng) - to form/compose

Idioms & Expressions

"酿成大祸 (niàngchéng dàhuò) - to lead to a major disaster (related concept)"

"事在人为 (shì zài rén wéi) - things are done by people (often used when discussing causes)"

"因果报应 (yīnguǒ bàoyìng) - karma/cause and effect"

"前因后果 (qiányīn hòuguǒ) - cause and effect/the whole story"

"自食其果 (zì shí qí guǒ) - reap what one sows (negative)"

"祸从口出 (huò cóng kǒu chū) - disaster comes from the mouth (speech causing trouble)"

"亡羊补牢 (wáng yáng bǔ láo) - mend the fold after the sheep are gone (dealing with what was 造成-ed)"

"防患未然 (fáng huàn wèi rán) - prevent trouble before it happens"

"一失足成千古恨 (yī shī zú chéng qiāngǔ hèn) - a single slip causes everlasting regret"

"解铃还须系铃人 (jiě líng hái xū xì líng rén) - the one who tied the bell must untie it (the one who 造成-ed the problem must solve it)"

Easily Confused

造成 vs

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

formality

It is more formal than '让' or '叫'.

transitivity

It is a transitive verb. It needs an object.

semantic prosody

Almost exclusively negative. Using it for positive things is a common 'foreign' error.

Common Mistakes

Using 造成 for positive results (e.g., 造成进步).
Forgetting the '了' when the result is already present.
Confusing 造成 with 导致 when a clause is needed.
Omitting '给' when an affected party is mentioned.
Using 造成 for small, casual things like 'making a snack'.

Tips

The '给' Rule

Whenever there is a 'victim' of the cause, use the '给...造成' pattern. It makes your Chinese sound much more native and precise.

Negative Only

Always double-check the 'vibe' of your object. If it's not a problem, don't use 造成. This is the #1 rule for this word.

Formal Writing

In essays, use 造成 instead of simple words like '让' to show you have a higher level of vocabulary.

News Reports

Pay attention to the news. You will hear 造成 every single day. It's the standard word for reporting accidents and economic changes.

Pair with 损失

The most common pairing is 造成损失 (cause loss). Memorize this as a single unit.

造成 vs 引起

Use 引起 for reactions (like attention or discussion) and 造成 for final bad results (like damage or death).

The 'Zao' character

Remember that 造 is also in 制造 (manufacture). Think of 造成 as 'manufacturing a bad result'.

Polite Apologies

Use '给您造成了不便' in business emails or formal speech to apologize for problems. It's very professional.

Cause and Effect

Always ensure the subject is the 'cause' and the object is the 'effect'. Don't flip them!

Abstract Objects

As you get better, try pairing 造成 with abstract nouns like 局面 (situation) or 影响 (influence).

Memorize It

Word Origin

Cultural Context

造成 is a hallmark of 'official' Chinese (officialese). Using it correctly makes you sound educated and professional.

In legal contexts, 造成 is used to determine liability, a key concept in modern Chinese law.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"你觉得什么原因造成了现在的交通堵塞？ (What do you think caused the current traffic jam?)"

"这次误会给你造成了困扰吗？ (Did this misunderstanding cause you any trouble?)"

"你认为过度使用手机会给孩子造成什么伤害？ (What harm do you think excessive phone use causes to children?)"

"由于天气原因造成航班延误时，你通常做什么？ (What do you usually do when flights are delayed due to weather?)"

"你觉得什么因素造成了这种社会现象？ (What factors do you think caused this social phenomenon?)"

Journal Prompts

写一次因为你的粗心而造成的错误。(Write about a mistake caused by your carelessness.)

讨论环境污染给你的城市造成的具体影响。(Discuss the specific impacts caused by environmental pollution in your city.)

描述一次由于误解而造成的友谊冲突。(Describe a conflict in friendship caused by a misunderstanding.)

分析压力给现代人生活造成的负面后果。(Analyze the negative consequences caused by stress in modern life.)

如果你是一个市长，你会如何解决由于人口增加而造成的住房问题？ (If you were a mayor, how would you solve housing problems caused by population increase?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No. Winning a prize is positive. You should use '获得' (huòdé - to obtain) or '赢得' (yíngdé - to win). 造成 is only for negative results like losses or damage.

They are very similar and often interchangeable. However, 导致 is slightly more formal and can be followed by a verb phrase (e.g., 导致他辞职), whereas 造成 is almost always followed by a noun phrase (e.g., 造成损失).

Yes, but usually in slightly serious or formal situations. In very casual talk, people might use '让' or '弄得'. For example, '你弄得我很烦' instead of '你给我造成了烦恼'.

No, this is incorrect. Success is positive. You should say '取得成功' or '获得了成功'.

You can use the '是...造成的' structure. For example: '这个错误是由于粗心造成的' (This mistake was caused by carelessness).

Not always, but very often. Use '了' if the result has already happened. Use '会' or '可能' without '了' if you are talking about a future or potential result.

Yes, if you are talking about damaging them. '火灾造成了房屋的破坏' (The fire caused the destruction of the houses).

The most common are 损失 (loss), 影响 (impact), 伤害 (harm), 误解 (misunderstanding), and 破坏 (destruction).

Yes, it is typically introduced around HSK 4 (Intermediate level).

Yes, but only negative ones. '造成痛苦' (cause pain) or '造成压力' (cause pressure) are correct. '造成快乐' is wrong.