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性 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
性xìngnatureHSK 4, n, 8 strokes, radical 忄, rank #702, Medium
性xìngcharacterHSK 4, n, 8 strokes, radical 忄, rank #702, Medium
性xìngpropertyHSK 4, n, 8 strokes, radical 忄, rank #702, Medium
性xìngqualityHSK 4, n, 8 strokes, radical 忄, rank #702, Medium
性xìngattributeHSK 4, n, 8 strokes, radical 忄, rank #702, Medium
性xìngsexualityHSK 4, n, 8 strokes, radical 忄, rank #702, Medium
性xìngsexHSK 4, n, 8 strokes, radical 忄, rank #702, Medium
性xìnggenderHSK 4, n, 8 strokes, radical 忄, rank #702, Medium
性xìngsuffix forming adjective from verbHSK 4, n, 8 strokes, radical 忄, rank #702, Medium
性xìngsuffix forming noun from adjective, corresponding to -ness or -ityHSK 4, n, 8 strokes, radical 忄, rank #702, Medium
性xìngessenceHSK 4, n, 8 strokes, radical 忄, rank #702, Medium
性xìngsex, nature, character; suffix converting a verb to an adjectiveHSK 4, n, 8 strokes, radical 忄, rank #702, Medium
xìng(xing4) T4
  1. 1nature
  2. 2character
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

性xìng(xing4)

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.

Strokes8Radical忄Frequency#702DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

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.

Memory Tip

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.

Meanings of 性

xìng(xing4)
1nature
2character
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 性

性Simplified
8Strokes
忄Radical
后接成分suffix-forming morpheme (suff.)Part of Speech
#702Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 3.0L4TOCFLL3

Podcast: 性

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Podcast: 性

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AI Study Notes for 性

Quick Contrast

性 (xìng) vs 特性 (tèxìng) — use 性 for general nature or character, but 特性 specifically refers to distinctive or unique characteristics.

Usage Notes

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).

HSK Study Tips

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.

Common Mistakes

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.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 性

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Etymology of 性

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 忄 represents the meaning and 生 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

heart

Semantic (meaning)忄
+
Phonetic (sound)生
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 性

Phonosemantic compound. 忄 represents the meaning and 生 represents the sound.

  1. 1The meaning half忄 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half生 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayheart
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 性? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 性?

Decomposition of 性

IDS Structure⿰忄生
性Full Character
=
忄xin1
left
生sheng1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 性?

How to say nature in Chinese

“nature” in Chinese is性xìng

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

性

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

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.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 4

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

性vs生
shēng

Both characters have similar pronunciation but different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "nature"?

or

Example Sentences for 性 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我和诺特曼讨论了这个想法的可行性。

wǒ hé nuò tè màn tǎo lùn le zhè gè xiǎng fǎ de kě háng xìng。

Knotman and I discussed the practicability of the idea.
2
警察以携带攻击性武器为由逮捕了我。

jǐng chá yǐ xié dài gōng jī xìng wǔ qì wéi yóu dài bǔ le wǒ。

The police nicked me for carrying an offensive weapon.
3
这部小说的各部分之间缺乏连贯性。

zhè bù xiǎo shuō de gè bù fēn zhī jiān quē fá lián guàn xìng。

The various elements of the novel fail to cohere.
4
这种局面所造成的不确定性肯定让你感到困惑。

zhè zhǒng jú miàn suǒ zào chéng de bù què dìng xìng kěn dìng ràng nǐ gǎn dào kùn huò。

The uncertainty created by this situation must be confusing for you.
5
你可能得了职业性皮肤病。

nǐ kě néng dé le zhí yè xìng pí fū bìng。

You might be having an occupationally related skin problem.
6
如果遭到了性骚扰，你应该采取行动。

rú guǒ zāo dào le xìng sāo rǎo， ， nǐ yīng gāi cǎi qǔ háng。

If you're sexually harassed, you ought to do something about it.
7
你可以在页边空白处添加评论使文件变得富有个性。

nǐ kě yǐ zài yè biān kōng bái chǔ tiān jiā píng lùn shǐ wén jiàn biàn dé fù yǒu gè xìng。

You can individualize a document by adding comments in the margins.
8
女性误以为是考虑不周的事情往往只是缺乏自信。

nǚ xìng wù yǐ wéi shì kǎo lǜ bù zhōu de shì qíng wǎng wǎng zhī shì quē fá zì xìn。

What women mistake as thoughtlessness is often just diffidence.
9
不幸的是，容易感冒是这个行业的职业性风险。

bù xìng de shì， ， róng yì gǎn mào shì zhè gè háng yè de zhí yè xìng fēng。

Catching colds is unfortunately an occupational hazard in this profession.
10
他们甚至可能曾经相互比试过，只不过不是经常性的。

tā mén shèn zhì kě néng zēng jīng xiāng hù bǐ shì guò， ， zhī bù guò bù shì jīng cháng xìng。

They may even have raced each other — but not regularly.

Cultural Notes for 性

💡Did you know?

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.

📜Proverb

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.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

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 Containing This Character20
性xìngnature
女性nǚxìngwoman
性感xìnggǎnsex appeal
同性恋homosexuality同性戀
个性gèxìngindividuality個性
男性nánxìnga male
可能性possibility
性格xìnggénature
性能xìngnéngfunction
性质xìngzhìnature性質
理性lǐxìngreason
性命xìngmìnglife
性爱sex性愛
人性rénxìnghuman nature
异性yìxìngthe opposite sex異性
阳性yángxìngpositive陽性
特性tèxìngproperty
活性active
性别xìngbiégender性別
积极性zeal積極性
Exercise 1 of 4

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.

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