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A2 verb 9 min read

长大

zhangda

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 长大 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 长大 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '长大' (zhǎng dà) is taught as a simple verb meaning 'to grow up.' Students learn it primarily to talk about their future ambitions or basic facts about their upbringing. The focus is on the most common structure: '长大以后' (zhǎng dà yǐ hòu), which means 'after growing up' or 'when I grow up.' For example, a student might say, '我长大以后想当医生' (When I grow up, I want to be a doctor). At this stage, the emphasis is on recognizing the characters and the third tone pronunciation of 'zhǎng.' Students also learn to use '了' (le) to express that a child has already grown, such as '你长大了' (You have grown up). The grammar is kept simple, usually following the pattern of Subject + (Place) + 长大 or 长大 + 以后 + (Action). The goal is to enable basic self-introduction and simple conversation about family members.

At the A2 level, learners begin to use '长大' in more varied contexts, such as describing where they grew up. The structure '我在 [Place] 长大' (I grew up in [Place]) is a key learning point, helping students understand the Subject-Place-Verb word order in Chinese. Students also learn to use '长大' in conjunction with other verbs of change. For instance, '他长大了，也懂事了' (He has grown up and become more sensible). A2 learners start to see '长大' as a marker of a life stage transition. They might also encounter the word in simple stories or descriptions of animals, like '小猫长大了' (The kitten has grown up). The focus shifts from just future dreams to describing past experiences and current changes in a straightforward manner. They are expected to distinguish '长大' from '长 (cháng - long)' consistently.

At the B1 level, students move beyond the literal meaning of physical growth and start to explore the metaphorical implications of '长大.' They use it to discuss societal changes and personal development. For example, '现在的孩子长大得很快' (Children nowadays grow up very fast) might be used in a discussion about the influence of the internet. Learners also begin to contrast '长大' with its more formal counterpart '成长' (chéngzhǎng). They understand that '长大' is more colloquial and physical, while '成长' is used for abstract progress. B1 students should be able to use '长大' in complex sentences with conjunctions like '虽然...但是...' (Although... but...). For example, '虽然他长大了，但他还是喜欢玩玩具' (Although he has grown up, he still likes playing with toys). The emphasis is on using the word naturally in narratives and descriptive essays.

At the B2 level, learners use '长大' to discuss complex themes like the 'coming-of-age' experience in literature or cinema. They can analyze the nuances of phrases like '一夜之间长大了' (to grow up overnight), which implies a sudden gain in maturity due to a significant event. B2 students are expected to use '长大' in more sophisticated grammatical structures, such as resultative complements and potential complements. They might discuss the challenges of '长大' in a competitive society, using the word to anchor debates about education and parenting. At this level, the word is often used in reflections on cultural identity, such as '在两个文化中长大' (growing up between two cultures). The learner's vocabulary is rich enough to surround '长大' with varied adjectives and adverbs that describe the manner or speed of growth (e.g., 茁壮成长, 飞速长大).

At the C1 level, '长大' is used with high precision in both spoken and written Chinese. Learners can appreciate the word's use in classical-style modern prose or academic discussions about sociology and psychology. They understand its role in idioms and four-character phrases (chengyu) like '长大成人' (growing into an adult/becoming a useful person). C1 students can use '长大' to discuss historical trends, such as how generations '长大' under different political or economic systems. They are also sensitive to the emotional register of the word, using it to evoke nostalgia or critique societal expectations. For example, they might write about the 'refusal to grow up' (拒绝长大) in the context of the 'Peter Pan syndrome' in urban China. Their usage is idiomatic, and they can seamlessly switch between '长大' and more formal synonyms depending on the audience and purpose.

At the C2 level, the learner has a native-like grasp of '长大' and its place within the vast landscape of Chinese vocabulary. They can use it in highly abstract or philosophical contexts, such as the 'growth' of a nation's consciousness or the 'maturation' of a literary movement. C2 speakers can play with the word in creative writing, using it in puns or sophisticated metaphors. They are fully aware of the historical evolution of the characters and can discuss the etymology of '长' and '大' if necessary. In high-level debates, they might use '长大' to discuss the evolution of legal responsibility or the changing definitions of 'adulthood' across different Chinese dynasties and modern eras. Their command of the word is such that they can use it to convey subtle irony, deep empathy, or sharp social commentary, fully integrated with a deep understanding of Chinese cultural and social history.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

长大 in 30 Seconds

长大 (zhǎng dà) means 'to grow up' in Chinese.
It is primarily used for people and animals maturing.
Commonly used in the phrase '长大以后' (when I grow up).
Requires the third tone 'zhǎng' to avoid confusion with 'long'.

The Chinese term 长大 (zhǎng dà) is a foundational verb in the Mandarin language, primarily used to describe the biological and psychological process of maturing from a child into an adult. At its most basic level, it combines two characters: 长 (zhǎng), which means to grow or increase, and 大 (dà), which means big or large. Together, they literally translate to 'grow big,' which perfectly encapsulates the English concept of 'growing up.' This word is ubiquitous in daily life, appearing in everything from children's bedtime stories to deep philosophical discussions about the loss of innocence or the acquisition of responsibility. It is one of the first verbs a student of Chinese learns because it is essential for discussing one's life history, family, and future aspirations. Whether you are talking about a puppy becoming a dog or a toddler becoming a teenager, 长大 is the go-to expression.

Literal Meaning: To grow into a larger state; primarily used for humans and animals to denote the transition from youth to maturity.
Common Contexts: Used in phrases like 'When I grow up' (长大以后), 'I grew up in Beijing' (我在北京长大), and 'You have grown up' (你长大了).

你想快点长大吗？ (Do you want to grow up quickly?)

A common question asked to children in Chinese households.

Beyond simple physical growth, 长大 often carries a heavy emotional and social weight. In Chinese culture, 'growing up' is not just about height or age; it is about the transition from being a recipient of care to being a provider of care. When a parent tells a child, 'You have grown up' (你长大了), it is often a compliment regarding the child's newfound maturity, responsibility, or ability to understand the hardships of the family. It signifies a shift in the family dynamic where the child is now seen as a more capable individual. This nuanced usage makes the word incredibly versatile, allowing it to function as both a simple biological descriptor and a complex social marker of development and character.

他在农村长大，所以很了解农活。 (He grew up in the countryside, so he knows farm work very well.)

Using 长大 (zhǎng dà) correctly requires understanding its grammatical placement as a verb of result or state change. The most frequent structure involves the particle 了 (le), which indicates that the process of growing up has reached a certain stage or has been completed. For example, 孩子长大了 (háizi zhǎng dà le) means 'The child has grown up.' Here, 了 signifies the change from being 'small' to being 'grown.' Without 了, the sentence might feel incomplete unless it is part of a larger construction like a future plan or a conditional statement.

The 'When' Structure: 长大以后 (zhǎng dà yǐ hòu) - This is the standard way to say 'After growing up' or 'When I grow up.' It is used to introduce future dreams or adult perspectives.
The 'Where' Structure: 在 [Place] 长大 (zài [Place] zhǎng dà) - This indicates the location where someone spent their formative years. For example, '我在上海长大' (I grew up in Shanghai).

等我长大了，我要当一名飞行员。 (When I grow up, I want to be a pilot.)

Another important grammatical aspect is the use of degree adverbs. While you can say 长得很大 (zhǎng de hěn dà) to describe physical size, 长大 itself is rarely modified by 'very' (很) directly in the sense of 'very grown up.' Instead, speakers use 成熟 (chéngshú - mature) to describe someone who is 'very grown up' in their behavior. However, you can use 一点点 (yī diǎndiǎn - a little bit) to describe incremental growth. For instance, 他长大了一点点 (He grew up a little bit). It is also vital to distinguish between 长 (zhǎng - to grow) and 长 (cháng - long). In the context of 长大, it is always the third tone zhǎng.

看着孩子慢慢长大是父母最开心的事。 (Watching children slowly grow up is the happiest thing for parents.)

In a typical Chinese-speaking environment, you will encounter 长大 (zhǎng dà) in several key social settings. The most common is within the family. Parents and grandparents are constantly commenting on the growth of children. At a family reunion, a common greeting to a younger relative is, '哎呀，你长大了！' (Oh, you've grown up!), usually accompanied by a gesture indicating the person's increased height. In this context, it serves as a warm acknowledgment of time passing and the child's development. It is a phrase that bridges the gap between generations, often followed by questions about school, work, or marriage.

In Schools and Education: Teachers use '长大' to encourage students to behave more maturely. A teacher might say, '你们已经长大了，应该学会自己解决问题' (You are already grown up; you should learn to solve problems by yourselves).
In Pop Culture and Media: Coming-of-age movies (青春片) frequently use the theme of '长大' to explore the loss of childhood innocence. Lyrics in Mandopop songs often use it to rhyme with '家' (jiā - home) or '话' (huà - words).

时间过得真快，转眼间你就长大成人了。 (Time passes so fast; in the blink of an eye, you have grown up into an adult.)

You will also hear this word in professional settings when people discuss their backgrounds. During job interviews or networking events, people might say, '我在国外长大' (I grew up abroad) to explain their language skills or cultural adaptability. In literature, 长大 is used to describe the trajectory of a protagonist. For example, '在这个艰难的环境中，他迅速长大' (In this difficult environment, he grew up rapidly). This figurative use suggests that 'growing up' is not just a matter of time but a response to experience and hardship. Whether literal or metaphorical, the word is a cornerstone of Chinese social interaction and narrative storytelling.

等孩子长大了，我们的担子就轻了。 (When the children grow up, our burden will be lighter.)

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers learning Chinese is confusing 长大 (zhǎng dà) with other verbs related to growth, such as 成长 (chéngzhǎng) or 生长 (shēngzhǎng). While 长大 is primarily used for the physical and general process of a person or animal maturing, 成长 is more formal and often refers to psychological, professional, or spiritual growth. For example, you '长大' in a city, but you '成长' as a leader. If you use 长大 in a formal business report to describe a company's development, it might sound a bit childish or overly literal.

Confusing Tones: The character 长 has two pronunciations: 'cháng' (long) and 'zhǎng' (to grow). Beginners often say 'cháng dà,' which would nonsensically mean 'long big.' Always remember to use the third tone 'zhǎng'.
Misapplying to Plants: While you can say a tree '长大了' in a casual way, the more accurate term for biological growth in plants is '生长' (shēngzhǎng) or simply '长' (zhǎng). '长大' is very human-centric.

错误：树长大得很快。 (Incorrect context for plants) -> 正确：树长得很快。

Another mistake involves the word order when specifying a location. English speakers often want to say 'I grew up in London' by translating it word-for-word as '我长大在伦敦.' However, in Chinese, the location typically comes before the verb: '我在伦敦长大' (Wǒ zài Lúndūn zhǎng dà). This is a fundamental rule of Chinese grammar (Subject + Place + Verb) that applies to 长大 just as it does to other action verbs. Lastly, be careful with the resultative aspect. You don't 'grow up' someone else. If you want to say 'She grew up to be a doctor,' you should use '她长大后当了医生' rather than trying to use '长大' as a transitive verb.

错误：他长大他的孩子。 (Incorrect transitive use) -> 正确：他把孩子养大。

While 长大 (zhǎng dà) is the most common way to say 'grow up,' several other words offer more specific or formal nuances. Understanding these alternatives will help you sound more like a native speaker and allow you to express more complex ideas about development and progress. The most important distinction to make is between 长大 and 成长 (chéngzhǎng). While both can be translated as 'growth,' they are used in different registers and contexts.

成长 (chéngzhǎng): This is a noun/verb that focuses on the process of development, especially psychological or professional. Example: '个人成长' (personal growth). It is more abstract than '长大'.
发育 (fāyù): This is a biological term for physical development or puberty. It is used in medical or scientific contexts. Example: '身体发育' (physical development).
成人 (chéng rén): Literally 'to become a person,' this means to reach adulthood. It is often used in the phrase '长大成人' (to grow up and become an adult).

他在这个过程中获得了巨大的成长。 (He gained tremendous growth during this process.)

Here, '成长' is used because the growth is abstract/personal, not just physical height.

Another word often confused with growth is 增加 (zēngjiā), which means 'to increase' in number or amount. You would use 增加 for population growth or an increase in salary, but never for a person's age or maturity. Similarly, 提高 (tígāo) means 'to improve' or 'to raise' (like levels or standards). When choosing between these words, ask yourself: Is this about a child becoming an adult (长大)? Is it about a person's inner development (成长)? Or is it about a biological process (发育)? Selecting the right word will demonstrate a high level of linguistic precision.

随着年龄的增长，他变得越来越成熟。 (With the increase of age, he became more and more mature.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '长' is one of the most common polyphones in Chinese. If you read it as 'cháng', you are measuring; if you read it as 'zhǎng', you are growing!

Pronunciation Guide

UK tʂaŋ˨˩˦ ta˥˩

US tʂaŋ˨˩˦ ta˥˩

The emphasis is usually balanced, but 'dà' often carries more weight as the resultative part.

Rhymes With

放假 (fàng jià) 说话 (shuō huà) 画画 (huà huà) 落下 (luò xià) 回答 (huí dá) 打架 (dǎ jià) 害怕 (hài pà) 出发 (chū fā)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '长' as 'cháng' (2nd tone), which means 'long'.
Failing to drop the tone on 'dà' (4th tone), making it sound like 'dā' or 'dá'.
Merging the two syllables into one without a clear tonal break.
Using the English 'j' sound for 'zh' instead of the retroflex 'tʂ'.
Over-emphasizing the 'g' in 'zhǎng' (it's a nasal 'ng').

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Characters are basic but '长' is a polyphone.

Writing 3/5

The character '长' has a specific stroke order that can be tricky.

Speaking 2/5

Third tone 'zhǎng' needs practice.

Listening 2/5

Easily recognized in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

长大以后想在

Learn Next

成长成熟责任成人改变

Advanced

发育茁壮变迁历程沧桑

Grammar to Know

The Resultative Complement

长 + 大 (Grow + Big = Grow up)

The Particle '了' for Change of State

他长大了 (He is now grown up)

Place Prepositional Phrases

在 + [Location] + 长大

Time Clauses with '以后'

长大以后...

Polyphonic Characters

长 (zhǎng) vs 长 (cháng)

Examples by Level

我想快点长大。

I want to grow up quickly.

Subject + Verb + Adverb + Verb

你长大了吗？

Have you grown up?

Use of '了' to indicate change of state.

长大以后，我想当老师。

When I grow up, I want to be a teacher.

'长大以后' acts as a time clause.

小狗长大了。

The puppy has grown up.

Simple Subject + Verb + 了

他没长大。

He hasn't grown up.

Negation using '没'.

我们一起长大。

We grew up together.

Adverb '一起' before the verb.

你要长大。

You need to grow up.

Modal verb '要' + Verb.

孩子长得很快。

The child is growing very fast.

Using '长得' to describe the manner of growth.

我在北京长大。

I grew up in Beijing.

Subject + 在 + Place + Verb.

等我长大了，我就买车。

When I grow up, I will buy a car.

Condition '等...了' structure.

他长得很大了。

He has grown very big.

Resultative structure.

这些孩子都长大了。

These children have all grown up.

Use of '都' for 'all'.

你长大想做什么？

What do you want to do when you grow up?

Question word '什么' at the end.

他是在美国长大的。

He was raised/grew up in America.

Shi...de construction for emphasis.

猫咪长大了就不爱玩了。

When cats grow up, they don't like to play as much.

Conditional '...了就...'

我看着你长大。

I watched you grow up.

Verb '看' + Object + Verb.

长大以后，我才发现生活不容易。

Only after growing up did I realize life is not easy.

Use of '才' to indicate 'only then'.

现在的孩子比我们那时候长大得早。

Children nowadays grow up earlier than in our time.

Comparison using '比'.

在这个城市长大是什么感觉？

What does it feel like to grow up in this city?

Nominalized phrase as subject.

他虽然长大了，但心还像个孩子。

Although he's grown up, his heart is still like a child's.

Conjunction '虽然...但...'.

我们不能总是拒绝长大。

We cannot always refuse to grow up.

Negative modal '不能' + '总是' + Verb.

长大意味着更多的责任。

Growing up means more responsibilities.

Verb as a subject meaning 'the act of'.

你在哪儿长大的并不重要。

Where you grew up is not important.

Noun clause as subject.

他是在奶奶家长大的。

He grew up at his grandmother's house.

Specific location with '家'.

很多年轻人不想太快长大。

Many young people don't want to grow up too fast.

Adverb '太快' modifying the verb.

由于家庭变故，他被迫一夜之间长大。

Due to family changes, he was forced to grow up overnight.

Passive/Forced action with '被迫'.

在互联网时代长大的孩子非常不同。

Children who grew up in the internet era are very different.

Attributive clause modifying '孩子'.

他回到了他长大过的地方。

He returned to the place where he had grown up.

Use of '过' for past experience.

长大不仅是身体的变化，更是心理的成熟。

Growing up is not just physical changes, but also psychological maturity.

Correlative '不仅...更是...'.

随着孩子长大，父母也变老了。

As children grow up, parents also grow old.

Clause with '随着' (as/along with).

他渴望长大，去探索外面的世界。

He longed to grow up and explore the outside world.

Verb '渴望' (long for) + Verb.

在这个充满竞争的环境中长大，他变得很坚强。

Growing up in this competitive environment, he became very strong.

Participial-like phrase at the beginning.

这部电影探讨了在动荡年代长大的艰辛。

This movie explores the hardships of growing up in turbulent times.

Nominalized phrase as object of '探讨'.

他那一代人是在改革开放中长大的。

His generation grew up during the Reform and Opening-up.

Prepositional phrase '在...中' for temporal context.

我们都在不断地长大，不断地告别过去。

We are all constantly growing up and constantly saying goodbye to the past.

Repetition for emphasis.

长大成人意味着要学会独自面对风雨。

Growing up means learning to face the wind and rain (hardships) alone.

Metaphorical use of '风雨'.

他虽然已经长大，但内心深处仍保留着童真。

Although he has grown up, he still keeps his childlike innocence deep inside.

Complex contrast structure.

由于缺乏父母的陪伴，他在孤独中长大。

Due to a lack of parental companionship, he grew up in loneliness.

Cause and effect with '由于'.

在这个物欲横流的社会长大，保持初心很难。

Growing up in this materialistic society, it's hard to keep one's original intention.

High-level vocabulary like '物欲横流' and '初心'.

他终于长大了，明白了他的责任所在。

He finally grew up and understood where his responsibility lies.

Resultative use of '终于'.

文学作品往往通过角色的长大来映射社会的变迁。

Literary works often reflect social changes through the growth of characters.

Formal academic structure.

他拒绝长大，试图在虚幻的世界中寻求慰藉。

He refused to grow up, trying to seek solace in an illusory world.

Psychological analysis context.

这种在温室里长大的孩子，往往经不起挫折。

Children raised in a greenhouse (sheltered) often cannot withstand setbacks.

Metaphorical '温室' (greenhouse).

长大的代价往往是失去对世界的某种好奇心。

The price of growing up is often losing a certain curiosity about the world.

Philosophical subject '长大的代价'.

在多元文化的交织中长大，赋予了他独特的国际视野。

Growing up in the interweaving of diverse cultures gave him a unique international perspective.

Complex subject phrase.

历史证明，一个民族的强大离不开每一代人的艰苦长大。

History proves that a nation's strength is inseparable from the arduous growth of every generation.

Abstract application to a 'nation'.

他在父权的阴影下长大，这深刻影响了他的性格。

He grew up under the shadow of patriarchy, which deeply affected his character.

Sociological/Psychological context.

我们终将长大，但这并不意味着我们要变得世俗。

We will eventually grow up, but that doesn't mean we have to become worldly/cynical.

Use of '终将' (eventually will).

Common Collocations

长大以后

慢慢长大

还没长大

长大成人

陪你长大

独自长大

飞速长大

被迫长大

在国外长大

不想长大

Common Phrases

长大成人

— To grow up and become an adult. It implies reaching full maturity.

父母希望你能早日长大成人。

伴随长大

— To grow up along with something. Used for shared experiences.

这本书伴随我长大。

看着长大

— To watch someone grow up. Common for elders speaking to youth.

我是看着你长大的。

长大后

— After growing up. A shortened version of 长大以后.

长大后我就成了你。

从小长大

— To grow up from childhood. Emphasizes the whole process.

我们从小一起长大。

快快长大

— Grow up quickly. A wish often expressed to children or plants.

希望小树快快长大。

长大懂事

— To grow up and become sensible/knowledgeable.

孩子长大了，懂事了。

为了长大

— For the sake of growing up. Explaining the necessity of growth.

为了长大，我们需要学习。

拒绝长大

— To refuse to grow up. Often used for the Peter Pan syndrome.

他似乎在拒绝长大。

还没长大

— Not yet grown up. Can be literal or a critique of maturity.

你还没长大，不懂这些。

Often Confused With

长大 vs 长 (cháng)

This is the same character but means 'long'. Beginners often confuse the two meanings.

长大 vs 增加 (zēngjiā)

Means 'to increase' in numbers, not for human growth.

长大 vs 提高 (tígāo)

Means 'to improve' levels or standards, not physical growth.

Idioms & Expressions

"长大成人"

— To grow into an adult; to reach maturity.

他终于长大成人，可以自食其力了。

Common

"茁壮成长"

— To grow up healthy and strong. Often used for children or crops.

孩子们在阳光下茁壮成长。

Formal/Literary

"拔苗助长"

— To pull up seedlings to help them grow; to spoil things by excessive enthusiasm.

教育孩子不能拔苗助长。

Idiomatic

"顺其自然"

— To let things take their natural course (including growth).

让孩子长大顺其自然吧。

Philosophical

"后生可畏"

— The younger generation is to be admired/feared (as they grow up).

看到他长大的表现，真是后生可畏。

Literary

"大器晚成"

— A great talent matures late; a late bloomer.

他虽然长大得慢，但大器晚成。

Formal

"任其生长"

— To let something grow freely without interference.

他让花园里的花任其生长。

Neutral

"生生不息"

— Growing and multiplying without end; the cycle of life.

生命在地球上生生不息，不断长大。

Literary

"长生不老"

— Immortal; never growing old (the opposite of the end of growth).

秦始皇想寻求长生不老的药。

Mythological

"后来居上"

— The latecomers surpass the early ones (often as they grow up).

虽然他起步晚，但长大后后来居上。

Idiomatic

Easily Confused

长大 vs 成长

Both translate to 'growth'.

长大 is physical/literal; 成长 is psychological/metaphorical/process-oriented.

他在挫折中成长。

长大 vs 生长

Both mean 'to grow'.

生长 is biological/scientific, often for plants; 长大 is for humans/animals maturing.

水稻在南方生长。

长大 vs 成人

Both relate to becoming an adult.

长大 is the process; 成人 is the result or the status of being an adult.

他还没成人。

长大 vs 大

One is a verb phrase, one is an adjective.

长大 is the action of growing; 大 is the state of being big.

这只狗很大。

长大 vs 成熟

Both relate to maturity.

长大 is about age/size; 成熟 is about behavior/ripeness.

这个苹果成熟了。

Sentence Patterns

我长大以后想当 [Profession]。

我长大以后想当医生。

我在 [Place] 长大。

我在上海长大。

[Subject] 长大了，也 [Adjective] 了。

他长大了，也懂事了。

随着 [Something] 长大，[Change]。

随着孩子长大，开支也增加了。

在 [Environment] 中长大。

他在充满爱的家庭中长大。

[Subject] 拒绝长大，因为 [Reason]。

他拒绝长大，因为他害怕责任。

看着 [Object] 慢慢长大。

我看着小猫慢慢长大。

比我们那时候长大得 [Adverb]。

现在的孩子比我们那时候长大得快。

Word Family

Nouns

成长 (growth)

长辈 (elders)

长度 (length)

Verbs

生长 (to grow/biological)

增长 (to increase)

延长 (to extend)

Adjectives

长远 (long-term)

巨大 (huge)

大方 (generous)

孩子 (child)

成人 (adult)

成熟 (mature)

童年 (childhood)

未来 (future)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily speech and children's literature.

Common Mistakes

我长大在上海。 → 我在上海长大。
In Chinese, the location (prepositional phrase) must come before the verb.
他 cháng 大了。 → 他 zhǎng 大了。
The character 长 must be in the third tone for the meaning 'to grow'.
这棵花长大了。 → 这朵花开了/长高了。
'长大' is rarely used for flowers; use '开' (bloom) or '长' (grow) instead.
我长大我的狗。 → 我把我的狗养大了。
'长大' is intransitive; you cannot 'grow' an object. You must use '养大' (raise).
公司长大了。 → 公司规模扩大了。
'长大' is for biological entities. For companies, use '扩大' or '发展'.

Tips

Use '了' for impact

Always use '了' when you want to highlight that someone has changed from a child to a more mature person. It adds the 'already' or 'now' nuance.

The 'Zh' Sound

Ensure your tongue is curled back for the 'zh' in 'zhǎng'. It distinguishes it from 'zǎng' (dirty).

Pair with '以后'

Memorize '长大以后' as a single block. It is the most useful way to start sentences about dreams and goals.

Complimenting Parents

Telling a parent '你的孩子长大了' is a great way to compliment their parenting and the child's progress.

Avoid Word-for-Word Translation

Don't say '我长大在...'. Remember the Chinese word order: Subject + Place + Verb.

The Dad Rule

Remember 'dà' is 'big' like 'Dad'. Growing up is becoming big like Dad.

The 'Giant Infant' term

Learn '巨婴' (jù yīng) to describe someone who has '长大' physically but not mentally.

Animals too!

Feel free to use '长大' for your pets. It sounds very natural and affectionate.

No 'Cháng'

Remind yourself daily: 'Growing is Zhǎng, Length is Cháng'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a person with long hair (长) stretching their arms wide (大) to show how big they have become.

Visual Association

Imagine a seedling breaking through the ground and quickly becoming a tall tree with 'zhǎng' representing the sprout and 'dà' the canopy.

Word Web

Child Adult Height Age Maturity Responsibility Future Experience

Challenge

Try to use '长大' in three different sentences: one about your past, one about your dream, and one about a pet.

Word Origin

The word '长大' is composed of two ancient pictographs. '长' (zhǎng) originally depicted a person with long hair, symbolizing age and growth. '大' (dà) depicts a person with arms outstretched, symbolizing size and importance.

Original meaning: To increase in physical stature and age.

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

Be careful when telling an adult they 'haven't grown up' (你还没长大); it can be seen as very condescending or questioning their competence.

In English, 'grow up' can sometimes be used as an insult ('Grow up!'), but in Chinese, '长大' is rarely used this way. Instead, '成熟点' (Be more mature) is used.

Song: '我不想长大' by S.H.E. Book: '城南旧事' (Memories of South Beijing) which explores growing up. Movie: '少年的你' (Better Days) about the harsh reality of growing up.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Family Reunions

你长大了
长高了
越来越漂亮了
懂事了

Job Interviews

我在...长大
我有...的背景
这段经历让我成长
我学会了

School/Education

长大以后想做什么
未来的梦想
学会独立
孩子们的成长

Dating/Relationships

我们一起长大
你还没长大
我想要个成熟的
共同成长

Pet Ownership

狗狗长大了
它长得很快
从小养到大
变乖了

Conversation Starters

"你是在哪儿长大的？ (Where did you grow up?)"

"你长大以后想做什么工作？ (What job do you want to do when you grow up?)"

"你觉得现在的孩子长大得太快了吗？ (Do you think kids nowadays grow up too fast?)"

"你小时候想快点长大吗？ (Did you want to grow up quickly when you were little?)"

"谁是看着你长大的人？ (Who is the person who watched you grow up?)"

Journal Prompts

写一写你长大过程中最难忘的一件事。 (Write about the most unforgettable event in the process of your growing up.)

‘长大’对你来说意味着什么？ (What does 'growing up' mean to you?)

比较一下你在哪儿长大和你想在哪儿生活。 (Compare where you grew up with where you want to live.)

如果你可以重新长大一次，你会改变什么？ (If you could grow up again, what would you change?)

描述一个你看着他/她长大的人。 (Describe someone you have watched grow up.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is better to use '生长' or just '长' for plants. '长大' is mostly for humans and animals. For example, '这棵树长得很高' is better than '这棵树长大了'.

No, it is intransitive. You cannot '长大' someone else. You must use '养大' (raise) or '抚养' (nurture). For example, '她把孩子养大了'.

'长大了' means 'has grown up' (change of state). '长得大' means 'grows to be big' (describing a characteristic).

You should say '我在伦敦长大' (Wǒ zài Lúndūn zhǎng dà). The location comes before the verb.

No, for a company use '发展' (develop) or '壮大' (grow strong/large). '长大' sounds too biological for a business.

Yes, it usually implies both getting taller and getting older. If you only mean height, use '长高' (zhǎng gāo).

'长大以后' is more casual and used by children. '成年以后' is more formal and refers to the legal age of adulthood.

No, '长大' is not typically modified by '很'. You can say '长得很大' or '已经长大了'.

It is the third tone (zhǎng). If you say 'cháng dà', it sounds like 'long big', which is incorrect.

Yes, '长大成人' is a very common idiomatic phrase meaning to reach maturity.