内省 (nèi shěng) — introspection

Definition

Formal noun for 'introspection' — looking inward at your own thoughts, feelings, and motives. Used in writing or academic/psychological contexts, not everyday speech.

noun
introspection

Examples

  • 内省。
    Tā jīng cháng jìn xíng nèi shěng.
    He often engages in introspection.
  • 内省。
    nèi shěng Kě yǐ bāng zhù wǒ men rèn shi zì jǐ.
    Introspection can help us understand ourselves.
  • 内省，。
    Tōng guò nèi shěng, tā fā xiàn le zì jǐ de wèn tí.
    Through introspection, he discovered his own problems.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

内nèiinward
省shěngexamine

内 marks inward direction, and 省 names self-examination.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • 入入rùto enter
  • 冂冂jiōnghouse

The shape shows 入 entering into 冂, a house, so it pictures bringing something indoors, giving the sense inside.

Open 内 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

The upper part of 省 is a changed form of 生, which gave the sound, while the lower 目 is an eye; the picture showed looking closely or inspecting.

Open 省 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.