chéngjì: 成绩 - Grades, Results, Performance, Achievement

• Keywords: chengji, 成绩, Chinese for grades, Chinese for results, what does chengji mean, academic performance in Chinese, Chinese test scores, HSK vocabulary, learning Chinese
• Summary: Discover the essential Chinese word 成绩 (chéngjì), which means “grades,” “results,” or “performance.” This comprehensive guide explores its deep cultural significance in China's high-pressure education system, its practical use in both school and the workplace, and provides numerous example sentences. Understand why 成绩 is more than just a score—it's a reflection of diligence, family honor, and future opportunities in Chinese culture.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): chéngjì
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: The results or achievements obtained from work, study, or competition.
• In a Nutshell: 成绩 (chéngjì) is the quantifiable outcome of effort. While it's most commonly translated as “grades” in an academic context, it applies to any situation where performance can be measured—from exam scores and sales figures to a runner's time in a race. Think of it as the final, objective “scorecard” of an endeavor.

• 成 (chéng): This character means “to complete,” “to accomplish,” or “to succeed.” It's a foundational character for concepts related to completion and success.
• 绩 (jì): This character means “merit,” “accomplishment,” or “result.” The left-side radical is 糸 (sī), which means “silk” or “thread.” Historically, it was related to the results of weaving or spinning thread—a task where one's output (achievements) could be clearly measured.
• Together, 成绩 (chéngjì) literally translates to “completed merits” or “accomplished results.” This combination perfectly captures the idea of a final, measurable achievement after a period of work or study.

In Chinese culture, 成绩 (chéngjì) carries a weight far beyond its English equivalent of “grades.” It is a central pillar of the education system and a frequent topic of conversation within families and society at large.

• The Gaokao (高考) and Immense Pressure: The entire education system is geared towards the 高考 (gāokǎo), the notoriously difficult national college entrance exam. A student's 成绩 on this single test can determine their entire future: which university they can attend, their future career prospects, and even their social standing. This creates immense pressure on students from a very young age to achieve outstanding 成绩.
• Family Honor and Collective Success: Unlike the more individualistic view of achievement in the West, a child's 成绩 is often seen as a direct reflection on their parents and family. Good 成绩 brings honor and “face” (面子 - miànzi) to the entire family, while poor 成绩 can be a source of shame. This links academic performance to filial piety and collective family success.
• Comparison to “Grades”: In the West, “grades” are certainly important, but they are often balanced with concepts like personal development, creativity, and extracurricular activities. In China, 成绩 is often the primary, and sometimes sole, metric for judging a student's worth and potential. While this is slowly changing, the cultural emphasis on quantifiable results remains incredibly strong. It represents diligence, discipline, and the potential for a stable, prosperous future.

成绩 is a high-frequency word used in various formal and informal contexts.

• In School and University: This is its most common usage. Students, parents, and teachers constantly discuss 成绩.
• e.g., “How are your grades this semester?” (你这个学期的成绩怎么样？)
• e.g., “His math score was excellent.” (他的数学成绩很优秀。)
• In the Workplace: Here, it translates to “performance,” “results,” or “achievements,” referring to concrete metrics like sales targets, project completion, or KPIs (Key Performance Indicators).
• e.g., “Her sales performance this quarter was the best in the company.” (她这个季度的销售成绩是全公司最好的。)
• In Sports and Competitions: It refers to the final result, score, or time.
• e.g., “The athlete's 成绩 in this competition broke the world record.” (这位运动员在这次比赛中的成绩打破了世界纪录。)

The connotation of 成绩 is neutral, but it is almost always accompanied by an adjective that makes it positive (好 hǎo, 优秀 yōuxiù) or negative (差 chà, 不好 bù hǎo).

• Example 1:
  • 你的期末考试成绩怎么样？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ de qīmò kǎoshì chéngjì zěnmeyàng?
  • English: How were your final exam grades?
  • Analysis: A very common and natural question among students or from a parent to a child. 期末考试 (qīmò kǎoshì) means “final exam.”
• Example 2:
  • 祝贺你取得了这么好的成绩！
  • Pinyin: Zhùhè nǐ qǔdéle zhème hǎo de chéngjì!
  • English: Congratulations on getting such great results!
  • Analysis: 取得了 (qǔdéle) means “to have obtained” or “achieved.” This phrase is perfect for congratulating someone on their academic or work success.
• Example 3:
  • 他因为成绩不好，所以心情很差。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi chéngjì bù hǎo, suǒyǐ xīnqíng hěn chà.
  • English: He's in a bad mood because his grades are not good.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows the direct emotional impact that 成绩 can have. 因为…所以… (yīnwèi… suǒyǐ…) is a common structure for “because… therefore…”.
• Example 4:
  • 老师对我的成绩很满意。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī duì wǒ de chéngjì hěn mǎnyì.
  • English: The teacher is very satisfied with my performance.
  • Analysis: 对…满意 (duì… mǎnyì) is a key pattern meaning “to be satisfied with…”.
• Example 5:
  • 我们公司非常看重员工的工作成绩。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī fēicháng kànzhòng yuángōng de gōngzuò chéngjì.
  • English: Our company places great importance on employees' work performance.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the use of 成绩 in a business context. 看重 (kànzhòng) means “to value” or “to regard as important.”
• Example 6:
  • 只要你努力，成绩就一定会有进步。
  • Pinyin: Zhǐyào nǐ nǔlì, chéngjì jiù yīdìng huì yǒu jìnbù.
  • English: As long as you work hard, your grades will definitely improve.
  • Analysis: A classic motivational sentence used by parents and teachers. 进步 (jìnbù) means “progress” or “improvement.”
• Example 7:
  • 这次比赛他的成绩不太理想。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì bǐsài tā de chéngjì bù tài lǐxiǎng.
  • English: His result in this competition was not ideal.
  • Analysis: 不太理想 (bù tài lǐxiǎng) is a polite and slightly formal way of saying “not very good” or “less than ideal.”
• Example 8:
  • 好的成绩是申请好大学的关键。
  • Pinyin: Hǎo de chéngjì shì shēnqǐng hǎo dàxué de guānjiàn.
  • English: Good grades are the key to applying to a good university.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly states the cultural importance of 成绩 in the education system. 关键 (guānjiàn) means “key” or “crucial point.”
• Example 9:
  • 这个项目的成绩超出了我们的预期。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xiàngmù de chéngjì chāochūle wǒmen de yùqī.
  • English: The results of this project exceeded our expectations.
  • Analysis: Here, 成绩 refers to the overall achievement or outcome of a project. 超出预期 (chāochū yùqī) means “to exceed expectations.”
• Example 10:
  • 你不能只根据成绩来判断一个学生。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bùnéng zhǐ gēnjù chéngjì lái pànduàn yīgè xuéshēng.
  • English: You can't judge a student based only on their grades.
  • Analysis: This sentence expresses a more modern or critical viewpoint on the education system, highlighting that there is more to a person than their scores.

• 成绩 (chéngjì) vs. 结果 (jiéguǒ): This is a critical distinction.
  • 成绩 refers to a *measurable result* after a period of effort, usually involving a score, rank, or grade. It's about performance.
  • 结果 (jiéguǒ) means “result” or “outcome” in a very general sense. It can be the outcome of anything, measurable or not.
  • Incorrect: 会议的成绩很好。(The “grade” of the meeting was good.)
  • Correct: 会议的结果很好。(The “outcome” of the meeting was good.)
• 成绩 (chéngjì) vs. 成功 (chénggōng):
  • 成绩 is the concrete result or score.
  • 成功 (chénggōng) is the abstract noun or verb for “success.”
  • You can say, “My test results (我的考试成绩) were good, so I feel a sense of success (成功感).” They are related but not interchangeable. Good 成绩 can lead to 成功.
• Common Pitfall: Do not use 成绩 for something that isn't a performance-based, measurable result. The “result” of a chemical reaction, a negotiation, or a search is always 结果 (jiéguǒ), never 成绩.

• 考试 (kǎoshì) - Exam; Test. This is the activity or event that produces a 成绩.
• 分数 (fēnshù) - Score; Mark; Points. This is the specific number that makes up your 成绩 (e.g., 95 points).
• 高考 (gāokǎo) - The National College Entrance Examination. The single most important test where 成绩 determines a student's future.
• 业绩 (yèjì) - (Work) Performance; Achievement. This is a more specific term for 成绩 used almost exclusively in a business or sales context.
• 成果 (chéngguǒ) - Result; Fruit. Refers to a tangible outcome or achievement, like the findings of a research paper or a finished product. It emphasizes the “fruit of one's labor.”
• 表现 (biǎoxiàn) - Performance; Expression; Behavior. This is about how someone behaves or conducts themselves, not just the final score. A student can have good 表现 in class (participating, being polite) but still get a bad 成绩.
• 及格 (jígé) - To pass (an exam). Achieving the minimum required 成绩.
• 优秀 (yōuxiù) - Excellent; Outstanding. A common adjective used to describe very good 成绩.