Success in Chinese
The Chinese word for success is 成功 (chéng gōng). The everyday word for success.
chéng gōng
Success
What 成功 means.
成 is to complete and 功 is achievement, so 成功 is achievement completed. The saying 失败是成功之母 reminds us that failure is the mother of success.
- 成
- to accomplish
- 功
- achievement, merit
Simplified and traditional
成功
成功
成功 is written the same way in simplified and traditional Chinese, so every Chinese reader recognises it.
About success in Chinese
How do you write success in Chinese?
Success is 成功 in Chinese, pronounced chéng gōng. Success 成 means “to accomplish”, 功 means “achievement, merit”.
How do you pronounce 成功?
Say chéng (second tone, rising), gōng (first tone, high and level). Mandarin tones change meaning, so it is worth listening to a native speaker once.
Is 成功 different in traditional Chinese?
No. 成功 is written the same way in simplified and traditional Chinese.
Is 成功 a good Chinese tattoo?
Yes, it is a real, everyday Chinese word rather than a machine translation, so Chinese readers will understand it. Keep the characters in their order, top to bottom or left to right, and never mirrored. Choose a readable style such as Kaishu, bring a clean reference to your artist, and show it to a fluent reader before your appointment.