Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
固有 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
固有gùyǒuintrinsic to sthHSK 7, b, 14 strokes, rank #26059, Very Hard
固有gùyǒuinherentHSK 7, b, 14 strokes, rank #26059, Very Hard
固有gùyǒunativeHSK 7, b, 14 strokes, rank #26059, Very Hard
gùyǒu(gu4you3)gu you T4
  1. 1intrinsic to sth
  2. 2inherent
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

固有gùyǒu(gu4you3)

The term 固有 (gu4 you3) refers to qualities or characteristics that are inherent to something, meaning they are essential and naturally belong to it. It is commonly used in contexts discussing identity, culture, or attributes that define a person, object, or concept.

Strokes14Frequency#26059DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese philosophy, the concept of 固有 is often tied to the idea of 'Tao' (道), where intrinsic qualities define the essence of objects and beings, reflecting a deeper understanding of nature and existence.

Memory tip

Imagine a tree (木) that has roots (根) deeply embedded in the earth (土), representing the intrinsic qualities of that tree. The character 固 (gu4) looks like a strong base holding the tree steady, while 有 (you3) suggests the presence of these inherent qualities, like the tree's leaves that are naturally there.

Meanings of 固有

gùyǒu(gu4you3)
1intrinsic to sth
2inherent
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 固有 means.

About 固有

固有Simplified
14Strokes
—Radical
区别词distinguishing word (dist.)Part of Speech
#26059Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 固有

JasonAmy

Podcast: 固有

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 固有

Quick Contrast

固有 (gùyǒu) vs 本质 (běnzhì) — use 固有 for characteristics that are inherent to something, while 本质 emphasizes the essence or fundamental nature of something.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 固有 with similar terms like 具有 (jù yǒu), which emphasizes possession rather than inherent qualities. It is more commonly used in formal contexts, such as academic discussions or philosophical debates about identity.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 固有 connects well with other advanced vocabulary terms that discuss identity and characteristics. Students should focus on understanding its usage in both written and spoken contexts, and practice constructing sentences that showcase its meaning.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 固有 with 固定 (gù dìng), which means ‘fixed’ or ‘stable.’ For example, saying '这是一种固定的特质' (This is a fixed quality) instead of '这是一种固有的特质' (This is an inherent quality) changes the meaning significantly.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 固有

Premium — Locked

Tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 固有, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsPitch drawing+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 固有 to you

Let me explain 固有 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 固有 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

How well do you know 固有?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 固有 is seven skills, not one.

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.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Component characters

固gùhard
8 strokes囗
View full entry
有yǒuto have
HSK 16 strokes月
View full entry

How to say intrinsic to sth in Chinese

“intrinsic to sth” in Chinese is固有gùyǒu

The term 固有 (gu4 you3) refers to qualities or characteristics that are inherent to something, meaning they are essential and naturally belong to it. It is commonly used in contexts discussing identity, culture, or attributes that define a person, object, or concept.

When to use 固有

Be cautious not to confuse 固有 with similar terms like 具有 (jù yǒu), which emphasizes possession rather than inherent qualities. It is more commonly used in formal contexts, such as academic discussions or philosophical debates about identity.

固有 or something close to it

固有 (gùyǒu) vs 本质 (běnzhì) — use 固有 for characteristics that are inherent to something, while 本质 emphasizes the essence or fundamental nature of something.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 固有 with 固定 (gù dìng), which means ‘fixed’ or ‘stable.’ For example, saying '这是一种固定的特质' (This is a fixed quality) instead of '这是一种固有的特质' (This is an inherent quality) changes the meaning significantly.

Write 固有

固
有

Practice writing 固有 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 固有

固有 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

个性鲜明是英国人____的、也是他们看重的特点。

Individuality is a valued and inherent part of the British character.

Example sentences for 固有 (5)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
个性鲜明是英国人固有的、也是他们看重的特点。

gèxìng xiānmíng shì Yīng guó rén gùyǒu de、 yě shì tāmen kànzhòng de tèdiǎn。

Individuality is a valued and inherent part of the British character.
2
我认为种族偏见固有地存在于几乎所有人的潜意识中。

wǒ rènwéi zhǒngzú piānjiàn gùyǒu dì cúnzài yú jīhū suǒyǒu rén de qiányìshí zhōng。

I think racism is unconsciously inherent in practically everyone.
3
人固有一死, 或重于泰山,或轻如鸿毛.

rén gùyǒu yī sǐ, huò zhòng yú tài shān, huò qīng rú hóng máo.

Though death befalls all men alike , it may be weightier than Mount Taishan or lighter than a feather.
4
最小的特征值相当于最低固有角频率.

zuì xiǎo de tèzhēng zhí xiāngdāngyú zuì dī gùyǒu jiǎo pínlǜ.

The smallest characteristic value corresponds to the lowest natural angular frequency.
5
使用风力的空气伞设计新颖、超越了固有思想.

shǐyòng fēnglì de kōngqì sǎn shèjì xīnyǐng、 chāoyuè le gùyǒu sīxiǎng.

The Air - umbrella with wind power is designed innovative and over fixed idea.

Ask Jason

Have a question about 固有?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

Frequently asked questions about 固有

You can say, '文化是一个民族固有的特征。' (Culture is an inherent characteristic of a nation.)

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 固有?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab