(chěng) — (bound form) to show off, to flaunt (one's ability, strength, etc.); (bound form) to succeed in carrying out (a scheme, evil design)

Definition

Bound verb used only in set phrases (like 逞能 'show off', 逞强 'act tough', 得逞 'a plot succeeds'). Two senses: showing off one's ability, or a scheme getting carried out — always negative (boasting or evil intent).

bound form
to show offto flaunt (one's ability, strength, etc.)to succeed in carrying out (a scheme, evil design)

Examples

  • Tā zǒng xǐ huan zài bié rén miàn qián chěng néng.
    He always likes to show off his abilities in front of others.
  • Nà ge yīn móu zuì zhōng méi yǒu dé chěng.
    That conspiracy ultimately did not succeed.
  • Bié chěng qiáng le, nǐ gēn běn zuò bú dào.
    Stop trying to show off your strength — you simply can't do it.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
Written in full aschuò
Sound part声符shēngfú
chéngchěng
Same sound today

逞 combines 辶, a walking mark, with 呈, which gives the sound.

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