Definition
乘 (chéng) is a versatile verb meaning 'to ride' (formal, often in compounds like 乘客) or 'to take advantage of' (formal, in set phrases like 乘机). For riding, 乘坐 (chéngzuò) is a more formal synonym; for taking advantage, 趁 (chèn) is the everyday spoken preposition. Its math sense 'multiplied by' is a verb, distinct from the classifier 倍 (bèi).
verb
to ride (a vehicle)to mountto take advantage of (an opportunity)to avail oneself of(math.) multiplied bytimes
Easily confused
- 背bèilook-aliketo memorize, to recite from memory
- 成chéngsound-alike(classifier) tenth, ten percent (used after a number 1–9)
- 乖guāilook-alike(of a child or pet) well-behaved, obedient
- 城chéngsound-alikecity; town
- 剩shènglook-aliketo be left; to remain
- 称chēngsound-aliketo weigh (on a scale)
- 称chēngsound-aliketo weigh
- 撑chēngsound-aliketo support, prop up, or open (an umbrella, etc.)
- 呈chéngsound-aliketo submit (to a superior); to formally present
- 盛chéngsound-aliketo ladle, to fill (a bowl/plate) with food or liquid
Examples
- 乘。Wǒmen chéng huǒchē qù Běijīng.We took the train to Beijing.
- 。Tā chéngzhe zhège jīhuì xuéle hěnduō.He took advantage of this opportunity and learned a lot.
- 乘。Wǔ chéng sān děngyú shíwǔ.Five times three equals fifteen.
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