'Chéng zhǎng' literally combines 'chéng' (to become, to complete) and 'zhǎng' (to grow, to increase), together expressing the process of maturing—physically, emotionally, intellectually, or socially. It emphasizes gradual, positive development over time, often implying increased responsibility, self-awareness, or capability.

This word is commonly used in reflective, personal, or educational contexts—such as describing a child’s journey into adolescence, an employee gaining experience, or someone overcoming challenges to become more resilient. Unlike 'dà' (to get big) or 'biàn dà' (to become big), 'chéng zhǎng' carries a connotation of inner progress and holistic development, not just physical change. It can function as a verb ('tā zài chéng zhǎng') or a noun ('tā de chéng zhǎng lì chéng'), and frequently appears with modifiers like 'kuài sù' (rapid), 'jiàn jiàn' (gradually), or 'měi hǎo' (healthy, positive).