====== zancheng: 赞成 - To Approve, To Agree With, To Endorse ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** zancheng, 赞成, agree in Chinese, approve in Chinese, how to say I agree in Chinese, zancheng vs tongyi, endorse a plan in Chinese, support an idea in Chinese, Chinese verbs.
  * **Summary:** Discover the meaning of **赞成 (zànchéng)**, the essential Chinese verb for expressing approval, endorsement, or agreement with a plan or proposal. This guide provides a deep dive into its cultural nuances, practical usage in modern China, and key differences from the similar word 同意 (tóngyì). Learn through clear explanations and 10+ practical example sentences to master how to express your support like a native speaker.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** zànchéng
  * **Part of Speech:** Verb
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 4
  * **Concise Definition:** To express approval for or agreement with a proposal, opinion, or course of action.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **赞成 (zànchéng)** is what you say when you want to give a green light to an idea. It's not just a passive "I agree," but an active "I'm in favor of that" or "I endorse this plan." Think of it as raising your hand in a meeting to vote "yes" or giving an enthusiastic thumbs-up to a friend's suggestion. It carries a sense of positive support and encouragement.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **赞 (zàn):** This character means "to praise," "to support," or "to aid." A great way to remember it is through the modern term 点赞 (diǎn zàn), which means "to click the 'like' button" on social media. It conveys a feeling of positive commendation.
  * **成 (chéng):** This character means "to become," "to succeed," or "to complete." It signifies bringing something to a successful conclusion.
  * **Together:** The characters literally combine to mean "to praise (赞) something so that it can be completed or succeed (成)." This paints a clear picture: you're not just agreeing with an idea, you're actively supporting it and wishing for its success.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
In Chinese culture, particularly in group or professional settings, maintaining harmony and showing solidarity are highly valued. **赞成 (zànchéng)** plays a key role in this dynamic. Expressing **赞成** for a proposal, especially one made by a superior or a group consensus, is a way of showing you are a cooperative and supportive team member.
This contrasts with the Western concept of "agreeing," which can often be a purely individualistic and logical assessment. While an American might say "I agree" to simply state that their opinion aligns with another's, saying **我赞成 (wǒ zànchéng)** often implies, "I am on board with this course of action and I will support it." It is less about a debate of facts and more about the endorsement of a path forward. Consequently, voicing the opposite, **反对 (fǎnduì)**, or "to oppose," is a much stronger and more direct act of dissent than simply "disagreeing" in a Western context.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**赞成** is a versatile word used in both formal and informal contexts.
  * **In Business and Formal Meetings:** It's the standard word for approving motions, plans, or strategies. You will frequently hear it during discussions and voting procedures.
    * //"各位，关于新季度的预算，有谁**赞成**吗？"// (Everyone, regarding the new quarterly budget, who is in favor?)
  * **In Daily Conversation:** Among friends and family, it's used to show you're on board with a suggested activity or plan. It's a slightly more formal and enthusiastic way of saying "Sounds good to me!" or "I'm down for that!"
    * //"我们周末去爬山怎么样？" "好啊，我**赞成**！"// ("How about we go hiking this weekend?" "Great, I'm for it!")
  * **Expressing Opinion:** It's used to show support for a particular viewpoint or decision, especially one that involves a value judgment.
    * //"我**赞成**公司为员工提供更多的培训机会。"// (I approve of the company providing more training opportunities for employees.)
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:** 
    * 我完全**赞成**你的提议。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ wánquán **zànchéng** nǐ de tíyì.
    * English: I completely approve of your proposal.
    * Analysis: Used in a discussion or meeting. **完全 (wánquán)** adds emphasis, showing strong and unreserved support for a formal suggestion (**提议**).
  * **Example 2:** 
    * 大多数代表都**赞成**这个新政策。
    * Pinyin: Dàduōshù dàibiǎo dōu **zànchéng** zhège xīn zhèngcè.
    * English: The majority of delegates are in favor of this new policy.
    * Analysis: This demonstrates how **赞成** is used to describe a group consensus, common in formal or political contexts.
  * **Example 3:** 
    * 他父母不**赞成**他出国留学。
    * Pinyin: Tā fùmǔ bù **zànchéng** tā chūguó liúxué.
    * English: His parents do not approve of him studying abroad.
    * Analysis: Here, the negative form **不赞成 (bù zànchéng)** shows disapproval of a major life decision. It carries more weight than just "disagreeing."
  * **Example 4:** 
    * "我们去看电影吧？" "我**赞成**！"
    * Pinyin: "Wǒmen qù kàn diànyǐng ba?" "Wǒ **zànchéng**!"
    * English: "Let's go see a movie?" "I'm for it!"
    * Analysis: A perfect example of informal, enthusiastic agreement between friends. It's a positive and simple response.
  * **Example 5:** 
    * 你**赞成**还是反对？请举手表决。
    * Pinyin: Nǐ **zànchéng** háishì fǎnduì? Qǐng jǔshǒu biǎojué.
    * English: Are you for or against it? Please vote by raising your hands.
    * Analysis: This shows **赞成** as a direct opposite of **反对 (fǎnduì - to oppose)**, commonly used during a formal vote.
  * **Example 6:** 
    * 我**赞成**你的做法，这很公平。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ **zànchéng** nǐ de zuòfǎ, zhè hěn gōngpíng.
    * English: I approve of your way of doing things, it's very fair.
    * Analysis: This usage extends beyond ideas to endorsing someone's actions (**做法**), based on a value judgment (fairness).
  * **Example 7:** 
    * 如果你能保证项目按时完成，我就**赞成**这个计划。
    * Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ néng bǎozhèng xiàngmù ànshí wánchéng, wǒ jiù **zànchéng** zhège jìhuà.
    * English: If you can guarantee the project will be finished on time, then I will approve this plan.
    * Analysis: This shows conditional approval. The approval (**赞成**) is dependent on a specific condition being met.
  * **Example 8:** 
    * 这个决定听起来很冒险，我持保留意见，不完全**赞成**。
    * Pinyin: Zhège juédìng tīngqǐlái hěn màoxiǎn, wǒ chí bǎoliú yìjiàn, bù wánquán **zànchéng**.
    * English: This decision sounds very risky; I have reservations and do not completely approve.
    * Analysis: **不完全赞成 (bù wánquán zànchéng)** is a nuanced way to express partial disapproval or hesitation without outright opposing.
  * **Example 9:** 
    * 在辩论中，我**赞成**正方的观点。
    * Pinyin: Zài biànlùn zhōng, wǒ **zànchéng** zhèngfāng de guāndiǎn.
    * English: In the debate, I agree with the affirmative side's viewpoint.
    * Analysis: Used to express alignment with one side of an argument or debate.
  * **Example 10:** 
    * 只要是对公司有利的，我们都应该**赞成**。
    * Pinyin: Zhǐyào shì duì gōngsī yǒulì de, wǒmen dōu yīnggāi **zànchéng**.
    * English: As long as it's beneficial to the company, we should all approve of it.
    * Analysis: This sentence establishes a principle for approval, highlighting the supportive and goal-oriented nature of **赞成**.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between **赞成 (zànchéng)** and **同意 (tóngyì)**. They can both be translated as "agree," but are not interchangeable.
  *   **赞成 (zànchéng): To Endorse/Approve of a //Proposal// or //Action//.**
    *   Focus: You support an idea and want to see it happen. It's a value judgment.
    *   Use with: plans (计划), proposals (提议), viewpoints (观点), methods (做法), policies (政策).
    *   Example: 我**赞成**这个计划。 (Wǒ **zànchéng** zhège jìhuà.) - I approve of this plan.
  *   **同意 (tóngyì): To Agree with a //Fact// or //Grant Permission//.**
    *   Focus: You acknowledge something is correct or you give someone permission to do something.
    *   Use with: someone's words (你说的话), a request (请求), a factual statement.
    *   Example: 我**同意**你说的。 (Wǒ **tóngyì** nǐ shuō de.) - I agree with what you said.
**Common Mistake:** Using **赞成** for a simple statement of fact.
  * **Incorrect:**
    * //地球是圆的，我**赞成**。// (Dìqiú shì yuán de, wǒ **zànchéng**.)
    * **Why it's wrong:** The Earth's shape is a fact, not a proposal you can approve or disapprove of. You are simply aligning with the fact.
  * **Correct:**
    * //地球是圆的，我**同意**。// (Dìqiú shì yuán de, wǒ **tóngyì**.) - I agree that the Earth is round.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * `[[同意]]` (tóngyì) - A close synonym that means "to agree." Use **同意** for facts and requests, and **赞成** for proposals and plans.
  * `[[反对]]` (fǎnduì) - The direct antonym of **赞成**, meaning "to oppose, to be against."
  * `[[支持]]` (zhīchí) - Means "to support." It's very close to **赞成** but can also be used to support people or teams (e.g., "I support this candidate"), whereas **赞成** is almost exclusively for ideas or actions.
  * `[[批准]]` (pīzhǔn) - A more formal word meaning "to approve" or "to ratify." This is used by someone with official authority, like a boss approving an expense report or a government ratifying a treaty.
  * `[[提议]]` (tíyì) - A noun meaning "proposal" or "suggestion," which is an object that you can **赞成**.
  * `[[赞同]]` (zàntóng) - A very close synonym to **赞成**, often interchangeable. **赞同** can sometimes feel slightly more focused on sharing the same opinion, while **赞成** is more focused on approving a course of action.
  * `[[点赞]]` (diǎn zàn) - Literally "to click praise." This is the modern internet slang for "to like" something on social media, showing the core meaning of **赞**.
  * `[[赞美]]` (zànměi) - To praise or compliment. It focuses on admiring something that already exists, rather than approving something for the future.