How common it is
生长 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
Pronunciation focus
Say shēng zhǎng slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
“生长”指生物体在自然过程中逐渐长大，比如植物从种子发芽到开花结果。
“Shēng zhǎng” zhǐ shēngwù tǐ zài zìrán guòchéng zhōng zhújiàn zhǎng dà, bǐrú zhíwù cóng zhǒngzi fā yá dào kāi huā jié guǒ.
"Grow" refers to a living thing gradually getting bigger in a natural process, like a plant from seed sprouting to flowering and fruiting.
Context note
这个词常用于描述植物、动物或人的成长过程，强调自然变化，比如小树在阳光下生长。
Zhège cí cháng yòng yú miáoshù zhíwù, dòngwù huò rén de chéngzhǎng guòchéng, qiángdiào zìrán biànhuà, bǐrú xiǎo shù zài yángguāng xià shēng zhǎng.
This word is often used to describe the growth process of plants, animals, or people, emphasizing natural changes, like a small tree growing in the sunlight.
5 examples
春天来了，小草开始生长。
chūn tiān lái le， xiǎo cǎo kāi shǐ shēng zhǎng。
Spring has come, and the grass begins to grow.
小树在雨水的滋润下生长得很快。
xiǎo shù zài yǔ shuǐ de zī rùn xià shēng zhǎng dé hěn kuài。
The small tree grows very fast under the nourishment of rain.
我们要爱护花草，让它们健康生长。
wǒ men yào ài hù huā cǎo， ràng tā men jiàn kāng shēng zhǎng。
We should take care of flowers and plants, letting them grow healthily.
小猫咪出生后，每天都在生长。
xiǎo māo mī chū shēng hòu， měi tiān dōu zài shēng zhǎng。
After the kitten is born, it grows every day.
竹子生长得特别快，一天能长高很多。
zhú zi shēng zhǎng dé tè bié kuài， yì tiān néng cháng gāo hěn duō。
Bamboo grows very fast, and can grow much taller in one day.
5 mini stories
小明在花园里种了一颗种子。他每天浇水，种子慢慢生长成了一朵花。
xiǎo míng zài huā yuán lǐ zhǒng le yì kē zhǒng zi。 tā měi tiān jiāo shuǐ， zhǒng zi màn màn shēng zhǎng chéng le yì duǒ huā。
Xiao Ming planted a seed in the garden. He watered it every day, and the seed slowly grew into a flower.
小兔子出生时很小。在妈妈的照顾下，它生长得又壮又健康。
xiǎo tù zi chū shēng shí hěn xiǎo。 zài mā ma de zhào gù xià， tā shēng zhǎng dé yòu zhuàng yòu jiàn kāng。
The little rabbit was very small when it was born. Under its mother's care, it grew strong and healthy.
春天，小树开始生长新叶子。小鸟在树枝上唱歌，很开心。
chūn tiān， xiǎo shù kāi shǐ shēng zhǎng xīn yè zi。 xiǎo niǎo zài shù zhī shàng chàng gē， hěn kāi xīn。
In spring, the small tree starts to grow new leaves. The little bird sings on the branch, very happy.
小妹妹每天喝牛奶，吃蔬菜。她生长得很快，已经会走路了。
xiǎo mèi mèi měi tiān hē niú nǎi， chī shū cài。 tā shēng zhǎng dé hěn kuài， yǐ jīng huì zǒu lù le。
The little sister drinks milk and eats vegetables every day. She grows very fast and can already walk.
花园里的向日葵向着太阳生长。它们每天都转方向，真有趣。
huā yuán lǐ de xiàng rì kuí xiàng zhe tài yáng shēng zhǎng。 tā men měi tiān dōu zhuǎn fāng xiàng， zhēn yǒu qù。
The sunflowers in the garden grow towards the sun. They turn direction every day, so interesting.