成家
chéng jiā · HSK 7
to settle down and get married
💍🏠 cheng (become) + jia (family) = become a family — settle down and marry
The two characters literally mean 'accomplish/become' + 'home/family.' So forming a home is the act of marrying and settling down. The secondary meaning extends this: someone who has 'become a house' in their field is an established expert.
成 — 戊 (halberd/weapon) + 丁 (nail/man)
Originally a pictograph of a halberd or axe-like weapon, suggesting the act of completing a task by force. Over time it shifted from 'to subdue' to the broader meaning 'to accomplish' or 'to become'. The 丁 element inside also hints at the chéng sound.
家 — roof 宀 + pig 豕
Originally a pictograph of a pig under a roof, since domesticated pigs were kept in or under the home in ancient China. Over time the meaning broadened from 'household' to 'family,' and by extension 'home' or a specialist (as in 专家, 'expert').