When fruit ripens and is ready to eat, we say it 成熟 (chéng shú). Think of a green banana turning yellow. That banana is 成熟.
This word is also used for people. If someone becomes more grown-up and wise, they 成熟. For example, a young person learns from experiences and becomes more responsible. They are 成熟.
When fruits ripen, we can use 成熟. For example, 这个西瓜成熟了 (This watermelon is ripe). Not only fruits, people also 成熟. For example, 他是一个很成熟的男人 (He is a very mature man). It can mean physically mature, but also refers to someone who is mentally mature and acts like an adult. However, we usually don't use 成熟 for a process to indicate a child is growing up.
When talking about fruits or crops, we often use 成熟 (chéngshú) to mean they are ripe and ready to be eaten or harvested. For instance, you could say “这个苹果成熟了” to mean “This apple is ripe.”
Beyond food, 成熟 (chéngshú) also applies to people, meaning to mature or develop into an adult, both physically and mentally. A common phrase is “他变得更成熟了,” meaning “He has become more mature.”
In a broader sense, it can describe conditions or plans becoming fully developed or ready. For example, “时机成熟了” means “The time is ripe” or “The conditions are mature.”
It’s a versatile word that covers physical ripeness, personal development, and the readiness of situations, making it very useful in daily conversation.
§ What does 成熟 (chéngshú) mean?
The Chinese word 成熟 (chéngshú) is an incredibly useful verb that you'll hear and use often. At its core, it means 'to ripen' or 'to mature.' Think of it like a fruit becoming ready to eat, or a person gaining experience and wisdom. It's about a process of development reaching a complete or advanced state.
- DEFINITION
- to ripen; to mature
You can use 成熟 (chéngshú) in a few main ways:
- For plants and fruits: This is the most literal sense. When a fruit is 'ripe,' it's 成熟 (chéngshú) 了 (le).
- For people: This refers to someone becoming more adult-like, responsible, or experienced.
- For ideas or plans: When a plan is 'mature,' it means it's well-thought-out and ready to be put into action.
- For skills or conditions: This refers to a skill becoming polished or a condition becoming favorable.
§ When do people use it?
Let's look at some common situations where you'll hear and use 成熟 (chéngshú). It's a versatile word, so pay attention to the context!
§ Talking about Fruit (Literal Ripening)
This is probably the easiest way to understand 成熟 (chéngshú). If you're at a market or just talking about food, you'll use it to describe fruit that's ready to eat.
这个苹果成熟了吗？(Zhège píngguǒ chéngshú le ma?)
Is this apple ripe?
草莓季节到了，很多都成熟了。(Cǎoméi jìjié dào le, hěn duō dōu chéngshú le.)
Strawberry season is here, many have ripened.
§ Describing People (Becoming Mature)
When you talk about a person, 成熟 (chéngshú) means they've grown up, become more responsible, or have a better understanding of the world. It’s about emotional and intellectual development, not just physical age.
他比同龄人更成熟。(Tā bǐ tónglíngrén gèng chéngshú.)
He is more mature than his peers.
通过这次经历，她成熟了很多。(Tōngguò zhè cì jīnglì, tā chéngshú le hěn duō.)
Through this experience, she has matured a lot.
§ For Plans, Ideas, and Conditions (Becoming Developed/Ready)
This is where 成熟 (chéngshú) gets a bit more abstract but is still very common. When a plan or an idea is 'mature,' it means it's been developed to a point where it's viable and ready for implementation. It's no longer just a rough concept.
这个计划还不成熟。(Zhège jìhuà hái bù chéngshú.)
This plan is not mature/ready yet.
市场条件已经成熟，是时候行动了。(Shìchǎng tiáojiàn yǐjīng chéngshú, shì shíhòu xíngdòng le.)
Market conditions are mature/ready, it's time to act.
Understanding these different uses of 成熟 (chéngshú) will help you grasp more nuanced conversations in Chinese. It's not just about age, but about development, readiness, and completion across various contexts.
Alright, let’s get into where you’ll actually hear and use the word 成熟 (chéngshú) in everyday Chinese. It’s not just for talking about fruit! While it literally means ‘to ripen’ or ‘to mature,’ it’s super versatile. Here’s a breakdown of how it pops up in different contexts.
§ In the Workplace
When you’re at work, 成熟 often describes ideas, projects, or even people’s professional development. It implies something is well-developed, ready, or experienced.
- DEFINITION
- 成熟 (chéngshú): to ripen; to mature
这个项目计划还不成熟，我们需要更多时间。
This project plan isn't mature (ready/well-developed) yet; we need more time.
她工作经验丰富，想法很成熟。
She has rich work experience, and her ideas are very mature (well-thought-out/sensible).
§ In School and Education
In academic settings, 成熟 can describe theories, research, or even a student's intellectual growth.
这篇论文的观点还不够成熟。
The viewpoint of this essay is not mature (developed/thorough) enough.
他高中毕业后变得更成熟了。
He became more mature (grown-up/responsible) after graduating from high school.
§ In News and Current Events
When you read or watch the news, 成熟 might be used to talk about market conditions, policies, or societal development.
智能手机市场已经非常成熟。
The smartphone market is already very mature (developed/established).
这个国家有成熟的民主制度。
This country has a mature (well-established/developed) democratic system.
§ Other Common Uses
Beyond these specific environments, you'll also hear 成熟 in more general conversations:
- Talking about age:
她比同龄人更成熟。
She is more mature than her peers.
- Describing a situation or condition:
时机还不成熟。
The time is not mature (right/ready) yet.
See? 成熟 is incredibly versatile. It’s not just about literal ripening; it’s about development, readiness, and experience. Keep an ear out for it, and you’ll start noticing it everywhere!
Difficulty Rating
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What to Learn Next
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Examples by Level
水果成熟了。
The fruit is ripe.
他比他的年龄更成熟。
He is more mature than his age.
这个计划还不成熟。
This plan is not mature yet.
想法需要时间成熟。
Ideas need time to mature.
我们希望我们的孩子成熟。
We hope our children mature.
她的厨艺成熟了很多。
Her cooking skills have matured a lot.
这棵树的果实成熟了。
The fruit of this tree is ripe.
他的表演越来越成熟。
His performance is becoming more and more mature.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a fruit or person becoming **mature** and **ripe**. The characters 成 (chéng) means 'to become' or 'to complete,' and 熟 (shú) means 'ripe' or 'cooked.' So, 成熟 literally means 'to become ripe' or 'to become mature.' Think of a 'cheng' (sound like 'shung') of fruit becoming 'shoo' (sound like 'shoe') good when it's ripe.
Visual Association
Visualize a vibrant, unripe green apple slowly turning a deep, rich red as it ripens on the tree. Or, picture a young sapling growing taller and stronger, its leaves unfurling as it matures into a sturdy tree. Focus on the transformation and growth.
Word Web
Challenge
Translate the following sentences: 1. 这个苹果还没有成熟。 (Zhège píngguǒ hái méiyǒu chéngshú.) - This apple is not ripe yet. 2. 他在工作中成熟了很多。 (Tā zài gōngzuò zhōng chéngshú le hěnduō.) - He has matured a lot in his work. 3. 等时机成熟了再做决定。 (Děng shíjī chéngshú le zài zuò juédìng.) - Wait until the time is ripe to make a decision.
Test Yourself 30 questions
这个苹果还没有完全___。
The sentence means 'This apple is not completely ripe yet.' 成熟 (chéngshú) means to ripen or mature, which fits the context of an apple not being ready to eat.
小孩子会慢慢___，变成大人。
The sentence means 'Children will slowly mature and become adults.' 成熟 (chéngshú) is used to describe the process of becoming more developed or adult-like.
这些水果已经___了，可以吃了。
The sentence means 'These fruits are already ripe, you can eat them.' 成熟 (chéngshú) is the correct word to describe fruit that is ready to be eaten.
她说话很___，不像小孩子。
The sentence means 'She speaks very maturely, not like a child.' Here, 成熟 (chéngshú) describes someone's behavior or way of speaking as being adult-like.
这个葡萄还没有___，有点酸。
The sentence means 'This grape is not ripe yet, it's a bit sour.' 成熟 (chéngshú) is used to indicate that the grape is not yet ready to be eaten due to its taste.
他的想法很___，很有道理。
The sentence means 'His ideas are very mature and make a lot of sense.' 成熟 (chéngshú) describes ideas that are well-thought-out and sensible.
Is this fruit ripe?
Her ideas are becoming more mature.
We need to wait until the conditions are mature (right).
Read this aloud:
这个西瓜还没有成熟，不能吃。
Focus: xi gua, cheng shu
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
作为一个成年人，你应该表现得更成熟一些。
Focus: cheng nian ren, cheng shu
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
她的演技越来越成熟，我很喜欢。
Focus: yan ji, cheng shu
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Use 成熟 to describe someone becoming more mature in their thinking.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
经过大学四年的学习，他的思考方式变得更成熟了。(After four years of university study, his way of thinking became more mature.)
Use 成熟 to describe fruit ripening on a tree.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
树上的苹果已经成熟了，可以摘下来吃了。(The apples on the tree are already ripe, they can be picked and eaten.)
Use 成熟 to describe a plan becoming more complete or well-developed.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
这个计划需要更多时间才能成熟。(This plan needs more time to mature.)
根据短文，小明成熟了指的是什么？(According to the passage, what does Xiaoming's maturity refer to?)
Read this passage:
小明去年才大学毕业，现在他工作一年了，处理事情比以前更冷静，也更能独立思考问题。他的父母觉得他成熟了很多。
根据短文，小明成熟了指的是什么？(According to the passage, what does Xiaoming's maturity refer to?)
短文提到小明工作一年后，处理事情更冷静，更能独立思考，这表明他心智上变得更成熟。
短文提到小明工作一年后，处理事情更冷静，更能独立思考，这表明他心智上变得更成熟。
短文中提到西瓜“还没有成熟”，这意味着什么？(In the passage, the watermelon is said to be 'not yet ripe.' What does this mean?)
Read this passage:
这个西瓜看起来很大，但是摸起来有点硬，闻起来味道也不太浓。我想它还没有成熟。
短文中提到西瓜“还没有成熟”，这意味着什么？(In the passage, the watermelon is said to be 'not yet ripe.' What does this mean?)
西瓜摸起来硬，味道不浓，说明它还没完全成熟，不适合食用。
西瓜摸起来硬，味道不浓，说明它还没完全成熟，不适合食用。
文中“设计方案终于成熟了”表示什么？(What does 'the design plan is finally mature' mean in the passage?)
Read this passage:
公司的新产品设计方案经过多次修改和讨论，现在终于成熟了。下个月就可以开始生产了。
文中“设计方案终于成熟了”表示什么？(What does 'the design plan is finally mature' mean in the passage?)
“设计方案成熟”意味着方案经过修改讨论，已经完善，可以进入生产阶段。
“设计方案成熟”意味着方案经过修改讨论，已经完善，可以进入生产阶段。
Describe a time you felt you matured or grew as a person. Use '成熟' in your answer.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
去年我开始独自生活，我觉得我成熟了很多。我学会了做饭和管理自己的时间。 (Last year I started living alone, and I feel I matured a lot. I learned to cook and manage my own time.)
Write a short paragraph about how a fruit ripens. Use '成熟' at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
香蕉从绿色慢慢变成黄色，这就是它成熟的过程。成熟的香蕉会更甜。 (Bananas slowly change from green to yellow, this is the process of them ripening. Ripe bananas will be sweeter.)
Imagine you are talking to a friend about a shared experience where you both learned something important. Use '成熟' to describe the positive change in one of you.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
那次旅行后，我觉得你变得更成熟了。你学会了独立思考，不再总是依赖别人。 (After that trip, I think you became more mature. You learned to think independently and no longer always relied on others.)
根据这段话，这个年轻人最需要什么？ (According to this passage, what does this young man need most?)
Read this passage:
这个年轻人虽然很聪明，但是处理事情还不够成熟。他还需要更多的经验才能更好地解决问题。 (Although this young man is very smart, he is not mature enough in handling things. He still needs more experience to solve problems better.)
根据这段话，这个年轻人最需要什么？ (According to this passage, what does this young man need most?)
文章中明确提到“他还需要更多的经验才能更好地解决问题”。
文章中明确提到“他还需要更多的经验才能更好地解决问题”。
这段话主要是在描述什么？ (What is this passage mainly describing?)
Read this passage:
这批水果已经成熟了，味道应该很甜。我们可以把它们摘下来，做成果汁或者直接吃。 (This batch of fruit has ripened, and the taste should be very sweet. We can pick them and make juice or eat them directly.)
这段话主要是在描述什么？ (What is this passage mainly describing?)
文章中提到“这批水果已经成熟了，味道应该很甜”，这表明主要描述的是水果的成熟状态。
文章中提到“这批水果已经成熟了，味道应该很甜”，这表明主要描述的是水果的成熟状态。
根据这段话，一个成熟的人有什么特点？ (According to this passage, what are the characteristics of a mature person?)
Read this passage:
一个人的思想会随着年龄和经历的增长而逐渐成熟。成熟的人能够更好地控制自己的情绪，并理性地分析问题。 (A person's thoughts will gradually mature with age and experience. Mature people can better control their emotions and rationally analyze problems.)
根据这段话，一个成熟的人有什么特点？ (According to this passage, what are the characteristics of a mature person?)
文章中明确指出“成熟的人能够更好地控制自己的情绪，并理性地分析问题”。
文章中明确指出“成熟的人能够更好地控制自己的情绪，并理性地分析问题”。
The correct order forms the sentence: 'These experiences made her more mature.' '这些' (these) modifies '经历' (experiences), '使' (make) is a causative verb, and '更' (more) modifies '成熟' (mature).
The correct order forms the sentence: 'The fruits in the field are already ripe.' '田地里' (in the field) modifies '果实' (fruits), and '已经' (already) indicates completion of '成熟' (ripened).
The correct order forms the sentence: 'We need to learn to face problems maturely.' '我们' (we) is the subject, '要学会' (need to learn) is the verb phrase, and '成熟地' (maturely) modifies '面对' (face).
/ 30 correct
Perfect score!
