成气候 (chéng qì hòu) — to make good, to succeed, to become a significant figure or force

Definition

成气候 means 'to amount to something, to become a real force' — usually used in the negative 成不了气候 ('won't get anywhere'). It emphasizes growing into a significant person or thing, unlike plain 成功 which just means a single success.

verb
to make good, to succeed, to become a significant figure or force

Examples

  • 成气候
    Tā zhè me nián qīng jiù chuàng yè chéng gōng, jiāng lái yí dìng néng chéng qì hòu.
    He started a business so young and succeeded; he's bound to make good in the future.
  • Zhè jiā gōng sī guǎn lǐ hùn luàn, kěn dìng chéng bù liǎo qì hòu.
    This company has chaotic management; it definitely won't get anywhere.
  • Nǐ gāng xué le yì nián zhōng wén, hái chéng bù liǎo shén me qì hòu.
    You've only studied Chinese for a year; you haven't become much of a force yet.

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.