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性能 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
性能xìngnéngfunctionHSK 6, n, 18 strokes, rank #15036, Hard
性能xìngnéngperformanceHSK 6, n, 18 strokes, rank #15036, Hard
xìngnéng(xing4neng2)xing neng T4
  1. 1function
  2. 2performance
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March 24, 2026

性能xìngnéng(xing4neng2)

性能 refers to the capabilities or performance of an object, often used in technical contexts such as electronics or machinery. It describes how well something operates or fulfills its intended purpose, highlighting features like speed, efficiency, and reliability.

Strokes18Frequency#15036DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In modern Chinese society, the concept of 性能 is particularly relevant in discussions about technology and innovation, reflecting the country's emphasis on advancements in manufacturing and electronics.

Memory tip

Think of 性能 as the 'nature' (性) and 'ability' (能) of something. Imagine a car's performance where 性 represents its inherent qualities and 能 signifies its power to function efficiently, like a racing car zooming on a track.

Meanings of 性能

xìngnéng(xing4neng2)
1function
2performance
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 性能

性能Simplified
18Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#15036Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

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Podcast: 性能

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AI study notes for 性能

Quick Contrast

性能 (xìngnéng) vs 功能 (gōngnéng) — choose 性能 when emphasizing performance and efficiency, while 功能 focuses on the functions or features an object provides.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 性能 with 质量 (quality), as they refer to different aspects of an item. 性能 is typically used in technical or formal discussions, while its collocations might include '性能测试' (performance test) and '性能评估' (performance evaluation).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 性能 connects with other technical vocabulary that describes performance and capabilities. Focus on using it in sentences that discuss technology or products to solidify its meaning and context.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mix up 性能 with 功能 (function), which refers more to the features or roles of an object rather than its performance. For example, saying '这台电脑的功能很强' (The computer's performance is strong) should be corrected to '这台电脑的性能很强'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 性能

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Component characters

性xìngnature
HSK 48 strokes忄
View full entry
能néngto be able to
HSK 110 strokes⺼
View full entry

How to say function in Chinese

“function” in Chinese is性能xìngnéng

性能 refers to the capabilities or performance of an object, often used in technical contexts such as electronics or machinery. It describes how well something operates or fulfills its intended purpose, highlighting features like speed, efficiency, and reliability.

When to use 性能

Be careful not to confuse 性能 with 质量 (quality), as they refer to different aspects of an item. 性能 is typically used in technical or formal discussions, while its collocations might include '性能测试' (performance test) and '性能评估' (performance evaluation).

性能 or something close to it

性能 (xìngnéng) vs 功能 (gōngnéng) — choose 性能 when emphasizing performance and efficiency, while 功能 focuses on the functions or features an object provides.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mix up 性能 with 功能 (function), which refers more to the features or roles of an object rather than its performance. For example, saying '这台电脑的功能很强' (The computer's performance is strong) should be corrected to '这台电脑的性能很强'.

Write 性能

性
能

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

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Grammar patterns of 性能

性能 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 2 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

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

上校命令道：“尽快给我找两台____好的发动机来。”

The colonel ordered, "I want two good engines down here asap."

Example sentences for 性能 (10)

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1
上校命令道：“尽快给我找两台性能好的发动机来。”

shàng jiào mìnglìng dào：“ jǐnkuài gěi wǒ zhǎo liǎng tái xìngnéng hǎode fādòng Jī lái。”

The colonel ordered, "I want two good engines down here asap."
2
“路行者”汽车的性能、轮胎和刹车都更好。

“ lù xíng zhě” qìchē de xìngnéng、 lúntāi hé shāchē dōu gènghǎo。

The Roadrunner had better power, better tyres, and better brakes.
3
我认为这辆车抓地性能真的非常好。

wǒ rènwéi zhè liàng chē zhuā dì xìngnéng zhēnde fēicháng hǎo。

I thought the car held the road really well.
4
你需要弄个好天线来发挥广播的性能。

nǐ xūyào nòng gè hǎo tiānxiàn lái fāhuī guǎngbō de xìngnéng。

You'll need a good aerial to exploit the radio's performance.
5
它防水性能非常好，但却轻巧舒适。

tā fáng shuǐ xìngnéng fēicháng hǎo， dàn què qīng qiǎo shūshì。

It is completely waterproof, yet light and comfortable.
6
我们的汽车当时性能依然非常好。

wǒmen de qìchē dāngshí xìngnéng yīrán fēicháng hǎo。

Our car was still going unbelievably well.
7
陡峭的石头地面排水性能很好。

dǒuqiào de shítou dìmiàn pái shuǐ xìngnéng hěn hǎo。

The steep, stony ground is well drained.
8
对于自己那台车性能的稳定性他根本不担心。

duìyú zìjǐ nà tái chē xìngnéng de wěndìng xìng tā gēnběn bù dānxīn。

He's not at all worried about his car's reliability.
9
这款相机既坚固耐用，又有超凡的光学性能和快门速度。

zhè kuǎn xiàngjī jì jiāngù nàiyòng， yòu yǒu chāo fán de guāng xué xìngnéng hé kuài mén sùdù。

The camera combines rugged reliability with unequalled optical performance and speed.
10
不过，这种车即使在干燥路面上也表现出了良好的抓地性能。

búguò， zhè zhǒng chē jíshǐ zài gānzào lùmiàn shàng yě biǎoxiàn chū le liánghǎo de zhuā dì xìngnéng。

Such cars, however, do grip the road well, even in the dry.

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Cultural Notes for 性能

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, performance often conveys more subjective qualities, like user experience, whereas 性能 tends to focus on measurable and objective capabilities.

Frequently asked questions about 性能

You can say '这款手机的性能非常好' (The performance of this phone is very good).

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