Meanings of 性
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About 性
Podcast: 性
Podcast: 性
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AI Study Notes for 性
性 (xìng) vs 特性 (tèxìng) — use 性 for general nature or character, but 特性 specifically refers to distinctive or unique characteristics.
Visualize a 'nature scene' where the 'x' in 'xìng' stands for 'eXperience' and the 'ing' part reminds you of the 'essence' of that experience. The character itself combines the radical for 'heart' (心) and the sound component, hinting at the inner qualities or traits that define a person.
Be careful not to confuse 性 with similar sounding words like 行 (xíng), which means 'to walk' or 'to perform'. In formal settings, 性 is often used in psychological or sociological contexts, while in informal conversations, it can relate more to personal traits and relationships. Common collocations include 性格 (xìnggé - personality) and 性别 (xìngbié - gender).
Although 性 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to other HSK words related to personality and attributes, such as 性格 (xìnggé). Focus on its usage in forming adjectives and nouns, as well as its application in discussions about personal identity.
In Chinese culture, the concept of 性 encompasses not only biological aspects but also philosophical ideas about human nature and character, often discussed in Confucianism and traditional Chinese medicine.
Learners often misuse 性 when referring specifically to 'sex' in a biological context, mistakenly using it in casual conversations about relationships. Instead, use 性别 (xìngbié) for gender-related discussions.
Pronunciation of 性
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Etymology of 性
Phonosemantic compound. 忄 represents the meaning and 生 represents the sound.
heart
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 性?
Decomposition of 性
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 性?
Write 性
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Practice writing 性 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 性
性 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 13 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
我和诺特曼讨论了这个想法的可行____。
Knotman and I discussed the practicability of the idea.
Common Confusions with 性
Both characters have similar pronunciation but different meanings.
Spot the Difference
Which character means "nature"?
Example Sentences for 性 (10)
Cultural Notes for 性
In Chinese culture, the concept of 性 encompasses not only biological aspects but also social and personal attributes. This reflects a holistic view of identity.
In Chinese culture, the concept of 性 encompasses not only biological aspects but also philosophical ideas about human nature and character, often discussed in Confucianism and traditional Chinese medicine.
A common saying in Chinese is 性格决定命运 (xìnggé juédìng mìngyùn), meaning 'Character determines destiny.' It emphasizes the impact of personal attributes on one's life path.
While in Western cultures, discussions about sex and gender may focus heavily on individual identity, in Chinese culture, 性 is often intertwined with social roles and familial expectations.
Word Family of 性
Compound Meaning
What does 性 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 性
性 (xìng) refers to inherent nature or qualities, while 性格 (xìnggé) specifically means personality or character traits. In essence, 性 is broader and can refer to physical attributes or sexuality, whereas 性格 is more focused on behavioral and psychological aspects.