成材 (chéng cái) — to grow into useful timber; to become a useful person
Definition
Literally 'to grow into useful timber', used figuratively for a person who has developed real ability. Often contrasts with 人才, which names a person already recognized as talented.
verb
to grow into useful timberto become a useful person
Examples
- 成材。Zhè hái zi jiāng lái yí dìng néng chéng cái.This child will certainly become a useful person in the future.
- 。Tā zài zhè jiā gōng sī yǐ jīng chéng le cái.He has become a useful person at this company.
- 成材。Zhè piàn shù lín de shù dōu chéng cái le.The trees in this forest have all grown into useful timber.
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