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天性 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
天性tiānxìngnatureHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #7985, Very Hard
天性tiānxìnginnate tendencyHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #7985, Very Hard
tiānxìng(tian1xing4)tian xing T1
  1. 1nature
  2. 2innate tendency
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March 24, 2026

天性tiānxìng(tian1xing4)

天性 (tiān xìng) refers to the innate characteristics or natural tendencies of a person or being. It is commonly used to describe behaviors or traits that are instinctive rather than learned, often in contexts relating to personality or temperament.

Strokes12Frequency#7985DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

The concept of 天性 is significant in Chinese philosophy, particularly in Confucianism, where it relates to the idea of human nature being inherently good. This notion influences discussions on moral education and personal development in Chinese culture.

Memory tip

Imagine the sky (天, tiān) as the source of your true nature (性, xìng), just like how clouds are formed naturally in the atmosphere. Picture a bird flying freely in the sky, representing its inherent tendency to soar high without being taught.

Meanings of 天性

tiānxìng(tian1xing4)
1nature
2innate tendency
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About 天性

天性Simplified
12Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 天性

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AI study notes for 天性

Quick Contrast

天赋 (tiānfù) - use 天性 for inherent traits, while 天赋 refers specifically to innate talents or abilities.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone of '性' (xìng), as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other words. This term is more formal and is often used in philosophical or psychological contexts. Common collocations include '人的天性' (rén de tiān xìng) meaning 'human nature'.

HSK Study Tips

Although 天性 is not a specific HSK word, it relates to concepts in HSK 5 and 6 that involve personality and behavior. Focus on understanding how this word connects with other terms related to nature and instincts, such as 自然 (zìrán) for 'nature'.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 天性 with 性格 (xìnggé), which means 'character' or 'personality'. For example, saying '他的天性是友好' (tā de tiān xìng shì yǒuhǎo) is incorrect if referring to 'his character is friendly'; it should be '他的性格是友好'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 天性

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Component characters

天tiānday
HSK 14 strokes大
View full entry
性xìngnature
HSK 48 strokes忄
View full entry

How to say nature in Chinese

“nature” in Chinese is天性tiānxìng

天性 (tiān xìng) refers to the innate characteristics or natural tendencies of a person or being. It is commonly used to describe behaviors or traits that are instinctive rather than learned, often in contexts relating to personality or temperament.

When to use 天性

Be cautious with the tone of '性' (xìng), as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other words. This term is more formal and is often used in philosophical or psychological contexts. Common collocations include '人的天性' (rén de tiān xìng) meaning 'human nature'.

天性 or something close to it

天赋 (tiānfù) - use 天性 for inherent traits, while 天赋 refers specifically to innate talents or abilities.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 天性 with 性格 (xìnggé), which means 'character' or 'personality'. For example, saying '他的天性是友好' (tā de tiān xìng shì yǒuhǎo) is incorrect if referring to 'his character is friendly'; it should be '他的性格是友好'.

Write 天性

天
性

Practice writing 天性 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Cultural Notes for 天性

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, discussions around 'nature' often involve debates between nature and nurture, whereas in Chinese thought, there tends to be a stronger emphasis on the inherent qualities of a person.

Frequently asked questions about 天性

In psychology, 天性 refers to the innate traits or tendencies that influence a person's behavior and personality.

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