Correct
结果 vs 后果 vs 成果
/ jiēguǒ vs hòuguǒ vs chéngguǒ /
Strokes
Definition
结果, 后果 and 成功, are all nouns indicting the outcome of development, mean "result," but they differ in tone, context, and connotation.
| Word | Meaning | Tone | Usage Context | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 结果 (jiéguǒ) | Neutral result (outcome) | Neutral | General situations (positive, negative, or neutral) | 比赛的结果是平局。 (The match ended in a draw.) |
| 后果 (hòuguǒ) | Negative consequence (bad outcome) | Negative | Serious, often warning of harm | 不遵守规则会有严重后果。 (Breaking rules will have serious consequences.) |
| 成果 (chéngguǒ) | Positive achievement (successful result) | Positive | Hard work, research, projects | 科学家发表了研究成果。 (Scientists published their research achievements.) |
1. 结果 (jiéguǒ) – "Result" (Neutral Outcome)
Meaning:
- A neutral, general result (can be good, bad, or neither).
- Used in daily life, sports, exams, experiments, etc.
Usage:
General Outcomes (No Positive/Negative Bias)
- 考试的结果下周公布。 (The exam results will be announced next week.)
- 我们等待实验的结果。 (We are waiting for the experiment’s outcome.)
Can Be Used for Both Good and Bad Results
- 谈判的结果很成功。 (The negotiation result was successful.)
- 他的决定带来了糟糕的结果。 (His decision led to a terrible outcome.)
Key Points:
✔ Neutral, general term for any result.
✔ Common in daily conversations, reports, news.
2. 后果 (hòuguǒ) – "Consequence" (Negative Result)
Meaning:
- A bad, serious, or harmful result (often due to mistakes or negligence).
- Used in warnings, punishments, or serious situations.
Usage:
Negative Outcomes (Often Avoidable)
- 酒后驾车的后果很严重。 (The consequences of drunk driving are severe.)
- 你要为自己的行为承担后果。 (You must face the consequences of your actions.)
Often Used in Warnings
- 再不改正，后果自负！ (If you don’t change, you’ll face the consequences!)
Key Points:
✔ Strongly negative (implies harm, regret, or punishment).
✔ Common in law, warnings, accidents, mistakes.
3. 成果 (chéngguǒ) – "Achievement" (Positive Result)
Meaning:
- A positive, successful result (often from hard work or effort).
- Used in research, projects, careers, studies.
Usage:
Success After Effort (Work, Study, Research)
- 这个项目取得了巨大成果。 (This project achieved great results.)
- 他展示了五年来的科研成果。 (He presented his five-year research achievements.)
Often Used in Formal or Professional Contexts
- 我们分享了合作成果。 (We shared our collaboration achievements.)
Key Points:
✔ Positive, proud results (implies effort and success).
✔ Common in work, science, education, business.
4. Key Differences
| Word | Tone | Context | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 结果 (jiéguǒ) | Neutral | General outcomes (good/bad/neutral) | 比赛的结果是3比2。 (The match result was 3-2.) |
| 后果 (hòuguǒ) | Negative | Bad outcomes (mistakes, warnings) | 撒谎的后果很严重。 (The consequence of lying is serious.) |
| 成果 (chéngguǒ) | Positive | Achievements (effort, success) | 这是团队努力的成果。 (This is the fruit of teamwork.) |
Final Summary
- 结果 (jiéguǒ) → Neutral result (any outcome).
- 后果 (hòuguǒ) → Bad consequence (harmful result).
- 成果 (chéngguǒ) → Positive achievement (success after effort).
Example
结果 is neutral, 后果 is negative, and 成果 is positive.
结果 is used both in examples ① and ②, but in example ① it is positive, while in example ② it is negative, because 结果 is a neutral word.
In example ③ 后果 is negative and in example ④ 成果 is positive.
Since 结果 is neutral, example ④ can also be said as 取得了一定的结果, but in example ③ only 后果 can be used.
In example ③ 后果 is negative and in example ④ 成果 is positive.
Since 结果 is neutral, example ④ can also be said as 取得了一定的结果, but in example ③ only 后果 can be used.
1
Bǐsài
比赛
shí
时
de
的
huīhuáng
辉煌
zhànjì
战绩
,
shì
是
tāmen
他们
píngshí
平时
kèkǔ
刻苦
xùnliàn
训练
de
的
jiēguǒ
结果
。
Outstanding achievements are the results of long years practice.
2
Nā
那
jiàn
件
shìqing
事情
de
的
jiēguǒ
结果
bìng
并
bù
不
ràng
让
rén
人
mǎnyì
满意
。
Its result is out of our sat- isfaction.
3
Nǐ
你
zhèyàng
这样
zuò
做
yīdìng
一定
huì
会
shībài
失败
,
rúguǒ
如果
nǐ
你
bù
不
tīng
听
quànzǔ
劝阻
,
yīyìgūháng
一意孤行
,
hòuguǒ
后果
yóu
由
nǐ
你
zìjǐ
自己
fùzé
负责
。
You are likely to fail if you persist in doing so. If you turn a deaf ear to our persuasion, you will be responsible for the bad consequences.
4
Tāmen
他们
de
的
kēyán
科研
xiàngmù
项目
,
yǐjīng
已经
qǔdé
取得
le
了
chūbù
初步
de
的
chéngguǒ
成果
。
Their research project has made certain progress.
The Conjunction 结果 connects two clauses, the former relates to the process of the event, and the latter, introduced by 结果, relates to the result. The result may comply with the event or may be the converse of it, that is, it may be positive or negative.
5
Jīngguò
经过
tǎojiàhuánjià
讨价还价
,
jiēguǒ
结果
yǐ
以
bā
八
zhé
折
chéngjiāo
成交
。
After bargaining,we made a deal at a 8-discount in the end.
6
Nǐ
你
shuō
说
zǎoqǐ
早起
jiào
叫
wǒ
我
,
jiēguǒ
结果
háishi
还是
wǒ
我
qǐlai
起来
jiào
叫
nǐ
你
。
You said you would get up to call me earlier,but as a result,it is I who got up to call you.
7
Zhè
这
xiǎozǐ
小子
zǎojiù
早就
shuō
说
tā
他
yào
要
kǎo
考
běijīngdàxué
北京大学
,
jiēguǒ
结果
tā
他
hái
还
zhēn
真
kǎoshàng
考上
le
了
。
The guy claimed earlier that he would register for the entrance,examination to Peking University.As a result, he was admitted.
8
Wǒ
我
qù
去
túshūguǎn
图书馆
zhǎo
找
le
了
hǎojǐ
好几
cì
次
nǐ
你
tídào
提到
de
的
nàxiē
那些
zīliào
资料
,
jiēguǒ
结果
dōu
都
shì
是
kōngshǒu
空手
ér
而
guī
归
。
I went to the library for several times searching for the materials you mentioned, but my efforts were all in vain.
Mistake
❌ Wrong (Using 后果 for Neutral Results):
这次实验的后果很理想。 (Use 结果 for neutral outcomes.)
✅ Correct:
这次实验的结果很理想。 (The experiment’s result was ideal.)
❌ Wrong (Using 成果 for Negative Results):
战争的成果是灾难性的。 (Use 后果 for disasters.)
✅ Correct:
战争的后果是灾难性的。 (The consequences of war are disastrous.)
Exercise
Choose 结果, 后果, or 成果:
- 他多年研究的____终于发表了。 (成果 – achievement)
- 如果不及时处理，____会很严重。 (后果 – negative consequence)
- 比赛的____让人意外。 (结果 – neutral outcome)
Translate:
- "The result of the election was surprising." → 选举的____令人惊讶。 (结果)
- "The achievements of this project are impressive." → 这个项目的____令人印象深刻。 (成果)
- "Ignoring warnings will lead to bad consequences." → 忽视警告会有坏____。 (后果)