Growth is the natural process of increasing in size or developing over time.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Refers to the physical growth of living organisms.
- Commonly used for plants, animals, and human development.
- Can metaphorically describe the emergence of feelings or ideas.
概述：生长是生物学中最基础的术语，指生命体通过摄取营养物质，使自身体积增大、细胞增殖或器官发育的过程。在现代汉语中，它是一个高频词汇，广泛应用于自然界描述以及抽象事物的比喻。
- 1用法模式：作为动词，“生长”通常作为谓语，主语可以是植物（如：树木、花草）、动物或人类，也可以是某些抽象名词（如：兴趣、萌芽的感情）。它常与表示地点的词（在……生长）或表示环境的词（在……环境下生长）搭配。
常见语境：在自然科学中，常说“植物生长需要阳光和水”；在社会生活中，常说“他在农村生长”；在文学或心理描述中，常说“心中生长出一种希望”。
- 1近义词辨析：“生长”与“发育”的区别在于，“生长”侧重于体积和数量的增加（Size/Quantity），而“发育”侧重于功能的成熟和完善（Maturation）。“成长”则更多用于人，侧重于心智、性格和能力的提升，带有更多社会性和情感色彩。
Examples
这种花在春天生长。
everydayThis flower grows in spring.
热带雨林中生长着许多珍稀植物。
formalMany rare plants grow in the tropical rainforest.
他从小在海边生长。
informalHe grew up by the sea.
生物的生长受环境因素影响。
academicThe growth of organisms is influenced by environmental factors.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
生长环境
growth environment
生长速度
growth rate
生长发育
growth and development
Often Confused With
Refers mainly to the psychological or social development of a person. It focuses on maturity rather than physical size.
Used for abstract quantities like numbers, economy, or data. It does not apply to biological organisms.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word '生长' is neutral and versatile. It is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese. Be careful not to use it for non-living things like money or statistics, where '增长' is preferred.
Common Mistakes
Students often try to use '生长' transitively (e.g., '生长树木'), which is incorrect. Always remember to use a prepositional phrase for the location. Also, do not confuse it with '成长' when talking about human maturity.
Tips
Focus on biological context
When using '生长', think of living things like plants or children. It is the perfect word to describe biological processes.
Avoid direct object use
Remember that '生长' is intransitive. You should use a prepositional phrase like '在...生长' to indicate the location.
Symbolism in Chinese culture
In Chinese culture, growth is often associated with nature and harmony. Phrases like '茁壮生长' (growing sturdily) are often used to praise children's health.
Word Origin
The character '生' represents life or birth, and '长' represents elongation or increase. Together they depict the natural life-driven extension of an organism.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, growth is often linked to the concept of '天地之气' (the energy of heaven and earth). It is a positive term often associated with vitality and the cycles of nature.
Memory Tip
Think of a tiny seed turning into a big tree. The '生' (life) creates the '长' (long/big) process.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“生长”主要指生理上的发育和体积增大，适用于所有生物。而“成长”通常指人的心智、性格或能力的成熟，带有更多情感和人生阅历的色彩。
通常情况下，“生长”是不及物动词，后面不直接接宾语。我们通常说“在某地生长”，而不是“生长某物”。
通常不直接使用“生长”形容经济，经济多用“增长”或“发展”。“生长”主要局限于生命体或极其生动的比喻。
它是一个中性词，既可以在日常对话中使用，也常出现在教科书、科普文章等正式语境中。
Test Yourself
这棵树在阳光充足的地方___得很快。
描述植物的物理体积增加，使用“生长”最准确。
请选出错误项。
“生长”不能直接接抽象名词作为宾语，应使用“增长”知识。
请根据提示完成句子：荷花 / 池塘 / 很好
正确的语序是主语+地点+动词+补语。
Score: /3
Summary
Growth is the natural process of increasing in size or developing over time.
- Refers to the physical growth of living organisms.
- Commonly used for plants, animals, and human development.
- Can metaphorically describe the emergence of feelings or ideas.
Focus on biological context
When using '生长', think of living things like plants or children. It is the perfect word to describe biological processes.
Avoid direct object use
Remember that '生长' is intransitive. You should use a prepositional phrase like '在...生长' to indicate the location.
Symbolism in Chinese culture
In Chinese culture, growth is often associated with nature and harmony. Phrases like '茁壮生长' (growing sturdily) are often used to praise children's health.
Examples
4 of 4这种花在春天生长。
This flower grows in spring.
热带雨林中生长着许多珍稀植物。
Many rare plants grow in the tropical rainforest.
他从小在海边生长。
He grew up by the sea.
生物的生长受环境因素影响。
The growth of organisms is influenced by environmental factors.
