Meanings of 性
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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.
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.
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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Jason Explains 性 to You
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Learning Lab
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Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Etymology of 性
Phonosemantic compound. 忄 represents the meaning and 生 represents the sound.
heart
Origin
性 = 忄 + 生. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 性
Parts
Which of these is part of 性?
How to say nature in Chinese
“nature” in Chinese is性
The character 性 (xìng) refers to nature, character, or quality, and is often used to describe attributes or properties of a person or thing. It is also used in contexts related to sexuality or gender, making it a versatile term in discussions about personal identity and characteristics.
When to use 性
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).
性 or something close to it
性 (xìng) vs 特性 (tèxìng) — use 性 for general nature or character, but 特性 specifically refers to distinctive or unique characteristics.
What learners get wrong
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.
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 12 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.
Fill the gap
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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.
Which one
Which one means “nature”?
Example Sentences for 性 (10)
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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.
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
Words with 性
What does 女性 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.
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