sing4 lung4成龍成龙
Definition
To become successful; to achieve success in life, often in the context of parents' hopes for their children.
How it's used
Originating from the idiom 望子成龍, this expression carries a strong sense of social mobility and achieving high status or great success. It is often used by parents or elders to describe someone who has overcome humble beginnings to become a respected or wealthy figure. While it literally references a dragon, it is strictly metaphorical and does not imply any supernatural or literal transformation.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the famous actor 成龍. Be careful not to use it in contexts where you are simply talking about someone becoming a professional or getting a job, as it implies a level of prestige or significant life achievement beyond just being employed.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
