Definition
成器 is a stative verb with two related senses: for objects it means 'usable, of good quality', and for people it means 'to grow up to be a useful person'. It's most often encountered in the negative form 不成器 (bù chéng qì), meaning 'good for nothing' or 'useless', especially when criticizing someone's lack of achievement or potential.
s.v.
(of objects) usableof good quality(of people) to grow up to be a useful person
Examples
- 成器，。Zhè jiàn jiājù hěn chéng qì, yòng le shí nián hái hǎohǎo de.This piece of furniture is of good quality; after ten years it's still fine.
- 成器。Fùmǔ dōu xīwàng háizi néng chéng qì.Parents all hope their children will become useful people.
- ，。Zhè háizi zhēn bú chéng qì, zhěngtiān bù xuéxí.This child is really good for nothing; doesn't study all day.
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