成功

Using it is straightforward. You can say someone 成功了 (succeeded) to mark a finished action. You can also use it as an adjective, like calling someone a 成功人士 (successful person). If you're trying to do something, put 成功 after the action. For example, 登录成功 means 'Login successful'. It’s like a verbal high-five you give yourself or others.

Use it whenever a result matches an intention. Use it in the office when a project wraps up perfectly. Use it with friends when you finally book those concert tickets. It’s great for texting too! If your friend asks if you caught the bus, a simple 成功了！ says it all. It feels positive, decisive, and satisfying.

Don't use 成功 for accidental luck. If you found twenty dollars on the street, you didn't 成功; you were just lucky. Also, avoid using it for small, continuous habits. You don't 'succeed' at eating breakfast unless it was a major struggle. It implies a specific goal was met. Using it for mundane tasks might make you sound a bit overly dramatic—unless that's the joke!

In Chinese culture, 成功 is deeply tied to hard work and persistence. There is a famous saying, 'Failure is the mother of success.' This shows that people view 成功 as a hard-won prize. It’s not just about the result, but the 'merit' (功) you earned along the way. Historically, it was often linked to passing imperial exams to bring honor to one's family.

If you want to sound more casual, you might use 搞定了 (got it done). For a very formal 'huge success,' you'll hear 圆满成功 (complete and perfect success). If someone is 'on the road to success,' they are 走向成功. You’ll also see it constantly on your phone screen. 'Upload successful' is 上传成功. It’s the digital heartbeat of modern life.