chénglì: 成立 - To Establish, To Found, To Be Tenable

• Keywords: 成立, chenglì, establish in Chinese, found in Chinese, set up a company in Chinese, Chinese word for established, is the reason valid in Chinese, 成立 meaning, 成立 vs 建立
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese verb 成立 (chénglì), used formally to mean “to establish” or “to found” an organization like a company or committee. Discover its second, equally important meaning: for a reason, argument, or claim “to be tenable” or “to hold water.” This page breaks down its dual usage in business and logical contexts, helping you master a key HSK 4 term.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): chénglì
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To establish or found an organization; for a reason or argument to be valid or tenable.
• In a Nutshell: 成立 (chénglì) is the official “Go!” button. For a company, it marks the legal moment it comes into existence. For an idea or argument, it's the moment it is accepted as logical and sound. The word carries a sense of formality, finality, and official recognition, whether you're talking about a new business or a solid reason.

• 成 (chéng): To become, to succeed, to complete. Think of it as reaching a finished state.
• 立 (lì): To stand, to set up. The character itself is a pictogram of a person standing firmly on the ground.
• Together, 成立 (chénglì) literally means “to succeed in standing something up” or “to complete the act of establishing.” This beautifully captures the idea of bringing something into a stable, official existence.

In Chinese culture, particularly in business and legal spheres, 成立 (chénglì) is a word with significant weight. The 成立日期 (chénglì rìqī), or “date of establishment,” is a company's official birthday, a crucial piece of information for legal and administrative purposes. This contrasts with the more casual use of “set up” or “start” in English. While you might “start” a project, a formal entity like a corporation, a non-profit foundation, or an official committee is 成立 (chénglì). This reflects a cultural emphasis on formal procedure and official recognition. The term's second meaning—that an argument is tenable—highlights a respect for logical structure. When someone says your 理由不成立 (lǐyóu bù chénglì), “your reason is not valid,” they are formally dismissing the foundation of your argument. It’s a more definitive and less emotional way of saying “that doesn't make sense” compared to more casual phrases.

成立 (chénglì) is used frequently in formal written and spoken Chinese.

• Business and Law: This is its primary context. It's used for the founding of companies, departments, teams, and legal agreements. You'll see it constantly in news reports, business documents, and official announcements.
• Debate and Discussion: In more formal or academic discussions, it's used to validate or invalidate a claim, hypothesis, or reason. It's the standard term for saying a logical point “holds water.”
• Formality: It is a formal term. For casual situations, like starting a book club with friends, you would use a simpler verb like 组 (zǔ) (to form a group). Using 成立 (chénglì) would sound overly dramatic and bureaucratic.

• Example 1:
  • 我们公司是2010年成立的。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī shì èr líng yī líng nián chénglì de.
  • English: Our company was established in 2010.
  • Analysis: A classic and extremely common example of using 成立 to state the founding date of a company. The `是…的 (shì…de)` structure is used here to emphasize the time.
• Example 2:
  • 你的这个说法不成立，因为证据不足。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ de zhège shuōfǎ bù chénglì, yīnwèi zhèngjù bùzú.
  • English: This claim of yours is not tenable because there is insufficient evidence.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the second core meaning. It's a formal way to reject an argument based on its logical foundation.
• Example 3:
  • 学校决定成立一个新的研究中心。
  • Pinyin: Xuéxiào juédìng chénglì yí ge xīn de yánjiū zhōngxīn.
  • English: The university has decided to establish a new research center.
  • Analysis: 成立 is the perfect word for creating an official entity like a “research center” (研究中心).
• Example 4:
  • 这个合同从双方签字之日起成立。
  • Pinyin: Zhège hétong cóng shuāngfāng qiānzì zhī rì qǐ chénglì.
  • English: This contract is established (i.e., becomes valid) from the date of signature by both parties.
  • Analysis: Here, 成立 is used in a legal context to mean “to become legally valid” or “to come into effect.”
• Example 5:
  • 调查小组已经成立，将尽快开始工作。
  • Pinyin: Diàochá xiǎozǔ yǐjīng chénglì, jiāng jǐnkuài kāishǐ gōngzuò.
  • English: The investigation team has been formed and will begin work as soon as possible.
  • Analysis: Used for forming official groups or committees, such as an “investigation team” (调查小组).
• Example 6:
  • 如果前提条件不成立，那么结论也无法得出。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ qiántí tiáojiàn bù chénglì, nàme jiélùn yě wúfǎ déchū.
  • English: If the premise is not valid, then the conclusion cannot be drawn.
  • Analysis: This is a textbook example of using 成立 in a logical or philosophical context.
• Example 7:
  • 联合国是在第二次世界大战后成立的。
  • Pinyin: Liánhéguó shì zài dì'èr cì shìjiè dàzhàn hòu chénglì de.
  • English: The United Nations was founded after the Second World War.
  • Analysis: Shows that 成立 can be used for large, international organizations.
• Example 8:
  • 公司董事会批准了成立子公司的计划。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī dǒngshìhuì pīzhǔn le chénglì zǐgōngsī de jìhuà.
  • English: The company's board of directors approved the plan to establish a subsidiary.
  • Analysis: A common business scenario. A “subsidiary” (子公司) is a perfect object for the verb 成立.
• Example 9:
  • 他辞职的理由听起来不成立。
  • Pinyin: Tā cízhí de lǐyóu tīng qǐlái bù chénglì.
  • English: His reason for resigning doesn't sound valid.
  • Analysis: A slightly less formal use of the “validity” meaning, often used when discussing someone's excuses or reasons.
• Example 10:
  • 这家基金会成立的目的是帮助贫困儿童。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā jījīnhuì chénglì de mùdì shì bāngzhù pínkùn értóng.
  • English: The purpose of this foundation's establishment is to help children in poverty.
  • Analysis: Highlights its use with non-profits like a “foundation” (基金会).

• “Established” as in “Respected”: A major pitfall for English speakers. In English, “an established firm” means it's old, stable, and respected. 成立 (chénglì) has none of this meaning. It only refers to the act of founding. To describe a respected, long-standing company, you would use words like 老牌 (lǎopái) (old brand) or 声誉良好 (shēngyù liánghǎo) (has a good reputation).
  • Incorrect: 他是一位成立的作家。(Tā shì yí wèi chénglì de zuòjiā.) This is wrong.
  • Correct: 他是一位有名的作家。(Tā shì yí wèi yǒumíng de zuòjiā.) - He is a famous author.
• 成立 (chénglì) vs. 建立 (jiànlì): This is a key distinction.
  • 成立 (chénglì): Best for organizations and concrete entities (company, committee, team). It often marks a single moment of inception.
  • 建立 (jiànlì): Broader and grander. It's for establishing things that are built over time, like relationships, systems, or even abstract concepts.
    • Example: 建立外交关系 (jiànlì wàijiāo guānxì) - To establish diplomatic relations.
    • Example: 建立一个新制度 (jiànlì yí ge xīn zhìdù) - To build a new system.
    • You would not use 成立 in these cases.
• 成立 (chénglì) vs. 创建 (chuàngjiàn):
  • 创建 (chuàngjiàn): Implies creation, innovation, and starting something from scratch. It has a pioneering spirit. Often used for tech startups, founding a university, or creating a new brand. 成立 is more neutral and bureaucratic.

• `建立 (jiànlì)` - To build, to establish. Used for larger-scale, more abstract things like relationships and systems.
• `创建 (chuàngjiàn)` - To create, to found. Carries a stronger sense of innovation and starting from nothing.
• `公司 (gōngsī)` - Company, corporation. The most common type of entity that gets 成立.
• `组织 (zǔzhī)` - Organization; to organize. A broader term for a group that can be 成立.
• `成立大会 (chénglì dàhuì)` - The founding ceremony or inaugural meeting of a new organization.
• `基金会 (jījīnhuì)` - Foundation (non-profit). A common object for the verb 成立.
• `理由 (lǐyóu)` - Reason, justification. The most common subject for the second meaning of 成立 (to be valid).
• `合同 (hétong)` - Contract. A legal document that can 成立 (become valid).
• `不成立 (bù chénglì)` - The direct negation of the second meaning: untenable, invalid, doesn't hold water.