wánchéng: 完成 - To Complete, Finish, Accomplish

• Keywords: wancheng, 完成, finish in Chinese, complete in Chinese, accomplish in Chinese, wancheng meaning, Chinese verb for complete, HSK 3 vocabulary, difference between 完成 and 结束, how to use wancheng
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 完成 (wánchéng), the essential Chinese verb for “to complete” or “to accomplish.” This comprehensive guide explores its cultural significance, practical use in work and daily life, and key differences from similar words like 结束 (jiéshù). Learn through clear explanations and 10+ example sentences to master this fundamental term and express a sense of achievement in Mandarin Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): wánchéng
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: To successfully bring a task, project, or process to its required conclusion.
• In a Nutshell: 完成 (wánchéng) is more than just stopping an activity; it's about seeing it through to the end and fulfilling all its requirements. It carries a strong sense of successful completion and accomplishment. Think of it as checking the final box on a to-do list. When you 完成 something, the work is truly done and done right.

• 完 (wán): This character means “to finish,” “whole,” or “complete.” It's composed of a roof (宀) over the element (元), which can mean “first” or “origin.” Together, they create the image of something being contained and made whole, signifying an end or completion.
• 成 (chéng): This character means “to become,” “to succeed,” or “to accomplish.” It signifies transformation and successful achievement.
• When combined, 完成 (wánchéng) literally means “to finish and succeed.” This powerful combination emphasizes not just the end of a task, but its successful and satisfactory conclusion.

In Chinese culture, there's a strong emphasis on diligence, responsibility (责任感 - zèrèn gǎn), and seeing things through. The concept of 完成 taps directly into this value system. It's not enough to simply start a job; the real merit lies in completing it thoroughly and to a high standard. Compared to English, 完成 is closer to “to complete” or “to accomplish” than simply “to finish.” While you can “finish” a race by just crossing the finish line (even if you crawl), to 完成 a project implies that all objectives were met. This subtle difference highlights a cultural expectation of follow-through and delivering a whole, polished result, whether it's in an academic, professional, or personal context. It reflects the idea that a task isn't truly over until it is successfully and properly done.

完成 is a common and versatile verb used across many contexts, generally for tasks that require some degree of effort or have multiple steps.

• Professional/Academic: This is its most frequent use. It's the standard term for completing assignments, reports, projects, and research.
  • e.g., 完成工作 (wánchéng gōngzuò) - to complete work; 完成论文 (wánchéng lùnwén) - to complete a thesis.
• Goals and Achievements: It's used for significant personal goals, like running a marathon, reading a long book, or finishing a creative project.
• Digital/Gaming: In video games and apps, you'll often see “任务完成 (rènwu wánchéng)” meaning “Mission/Quest Complete!”
• Formality: It is a neutral to slightly formal term. It's perfectly fine in everyday conversation but is also the standard in professional and written Chinese. For very simple actions, a resultative complement like `-完 (-wán)` is often more natural (see Nuances section).

• Example 1:
  • 我终于完成了今天的作业。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zhōngyú wánchéng le jīntiān de zuòyè.
  • English: I finally completed today's homework.
  • Analysis: This is a classic example of using 完成 for a standard task. The word 终于 (zhōngyú - finally) enhances the feeling of relief and accomplishment.
• Example 2:
  • 这个项目必须在星期五之前完成。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xiàngmù bìxū zài xīngqīwǔ zhīqián wánchéng.
  • English: This project must be completed before Friday.
  • Analysis: Here, 完成 is used in a professional context with a clear deadline, highlighting its use for tasks and requirements.
• Example 3:
  • 恭喜你完成了马拉松比赛！
  • Pinyin: Gōngxǐ nǐ wánchéng le mǎlāsōng bǐsài!
  • English: Congratulations on completing the marathon!
  • Analysis: This shows 完成 being used for a significant personal achievement, emphasizing the effort and success involved.
• Example 4:
  • 你的报告完成了吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ de bàogào wánchéng le ma?
  • English: Have you finished your report?
  • Analysis: A common question in a work or school setting. The particle “了 (le)” indicates a change of state (from incomplete to complete).
• Example 5:
  • 抱歉，我还没完成。
  • Pinyin: Bàoqiàn, wǒ hái méi wánchéng.
  • English: Sorry, I haven't finished yet.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the negative form. Note that when using 还没 (hái méi - not yet), you do not add 了 (le) at the end.
• Example 6:
  • 团队合作，我们才能按时完成任务。
  • Pinyin: Tuánduì hézuò, wǒmen cáinéng ànshí wánchéng rènwu.
  • English: Only by working as a team can we complete the mission on time.
  • Analysis: This sentence emphasizes that 完成 is the goal of a collaborative effort. 任务 (rènwu - mission/task) is a very common noun paired with 完成.
• Example 7:
  • 他花了三年时间才完成了这本书。
  • Pinyin: Tā huāle sān nián shíjiān cái wánchéng le zhè běn shū.
  • English: It took him three years to complete this book.
  • Analysis: This illustrates the use of 完成 for a long-term project, highlighting the duration and effort required.
• Example 8:
  • 任务完成！获得100经验值。
  • Pinyin: Rènwu wánchéng! Huòdé yībǎi jīngyàn zhí.
  • English: Mission complete! Gained 100 experience points.
  • Analysis: A typical phrase you would see in a video game, showing its use in a modern, digital context. It's often used as a standalone exclamation.
• Example 9:
  • 这项工作已经被完成了。
  • Pinyin: Zhè xiàng gōngzuò yǐjīng bèi wánchéng le.
  • English: This job has already been completed.
  • Analysis: This is an example of the passive voice using 被 (bèi). It emphasizes the state of the task (it is complete) rather than who completed it.
• Example 10:
  • 完成这项艰巨的工作后，我感到无比自豪。
  • Pinyin: Wánchéng zhè xiàng jiānjù de gōngzuò hòu, wǒ gǎndào wúbǐ zìháo.
  • English: After completing this arduous task, I felt incredibly proud.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly links the action of 完成 to the feeling of pride and accomplishment, which is at the core of its meaning.

• 完成 (wánchéng) vs. 结束 (jiéshù): This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
  • 完成 (wánchéng) is for completing a task with a goal. You complete homework, a project, or a painting.
  • 结束 (jiéshù) is for ending a process, event, or period of time. A meeting, a movie, a party, or a relationship can end.
  • Correct: 会议五点结束了。(Huìyì wǔ diǎn jiéshù le.) - The meeting ended at 5.
  • Incorrect: ~~会议五点完成了。~~ (The meeting was “accomplished” at 5.)
  • Correct: 我完成了我的工作。(Wǒ wánchéng le wǒ de gōngzuò.) - I completed my work.
  • Incorrect: ~~我结束了我的工作。~~ (This sounds like you quit your job, not that you finished a task).
• 完成 (wánchéng) vs. Resultative Complements (-完): For simple, single-action verbs, it's more natural to use the resultative complement `-完 (-wán)`. 完成 is better for multi-step tasks or projects.
  • Natural: 我吃完饭了。(Wǒ chī wán fàn le.) - I've finished eating.
  • Unnatural/Too Formal: ~~我完成了吃饭。~~
  • Natural: 我看完这本书了。(Wǒ kàn wán zhè běn shū le.) - I've finished reading this book (the action is done).
  • Also Correct (but more formal): 我完成了这本书的阅读。(Wǒ wánchéng le zhè běn shū de yuèdú.) - I have completed the reading of this book (frames it as a task).

• 结束 (jiéshù) - To end, to conclude. Refers to the termination of an event or process, not the successful completion of a task.
• 做完 (zuò wán) - To finish doing. A more colloquial and direct synonym for completing a simple, hands-on task.
• 搞定 (gǎodìng) - (Slang) To get something done, to handle it. Very informal and conveys a sense of capability and “getting it sorted.”
• 实现 (shíxiàn) - To realize, to achieve, to bring to fruition. Used for bigger things like dreams, goals, or ideals.
• 成功 (chénggōng) - (v./n.) To succeed; success. Describes the outcome or state of having achieved something, whereas 完成 describes the action of completing it.
• 任务 (rènwu) - (n.) A task, mission, or assignment. This is the “what” that you 完成.
• 项目 (xiàngmù) - (n.) A project. A larger, more complex type of task that you 完成.
• 办完 (bàn wán) - To finish handling/processing. Often used for administrative tasks, paperwork, or procedures.
• 竣工 (jùn gōng) - (Formal) To complete construction (on a building or project). A very specific and formal synonym used in engineering and architecture.