Definition
成气候 is a separable verb phrase (离合词) used idiomatically to mean 'to make good' or 'to become a force to be reckoned with'. It nearly always appears in negative or interrogative sentences — e.g. 成不了气候 ('won't get anywhere'), 成什么气候 ('what can you achieve?'). The verb 成 can split from 气候 when adding negation or a potential complement: 成不了大气候. Avoid using it alone in affirmative statements, which sound unnatural.
v.o.
to make goodto succeedto become a significant figure or force
Examples
- ，成气候。Tā zhème niánqīng jiù chuàngyè chénggōng, jiānglái yídìng néng chéng qì hòu.He started a business so young and succeeded; he's bound to make good in the future.
- ，。Zhè jiā gōngsī guǎnlǐ hùnluàn, kěndìng chéng bù liǎo qìhòu.This company has chaotic management; it definitely won't get anywhere.
- ，。Nǐ gāng xué le yì nián Zhōngwén, hái chéng bù liǎo shénme qìhòu.You've only studied Chinese for a year; you haven't become much of a force yet.
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