TongTong
Sign in

实质性 (shí zhì xìng) — substantial; substantive

Definition

Used in formal writing to mean a change or issue is real, meaningful, and affects the core (实质 = 'substance, essence'), not just on the surface. Pairs with abstract nouns like 变化, 进展, 区别, 谈判.

adjective
substantialsubstantive

Examples

  • 实质性。
    Zhè cì tán pàn qǔ dé le shí zhì xìng jìn zhǎn.
    This round of negotiations has made substantial progress.
  • 实质性。
    Gōng sī de yè wù chū xiàn le shí zhì xìng biàn huà.
    The company's business has undergone substantive changes.
  • 实质性。
    Tā men tí chū le shí zhì xìng de tóu zī fāng àn.
    They proposed a substantive investment plan.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

实质substance
实shísubstantial质zhìsubstance
联合Coordinate
性xìngness

实质 names the real substance or essence, and 性 adds the sense of that kind.

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 實; 实 is its simplified writing.

  • 宀宀miánroof
  • 周周zhōucarved jade
  • 貝貝bèishellfish; cowrie

The traditional form 實 has 宀 'roof' above 周 'carved jade' and 貝 'cowrie'; the simplified 实 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical pieces.

Open 实 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 質; 质 is its simplified writing.

  • 斦斦yín
  • 貝貝bèi

The traditional form 質 is made up of 貝 and 斦; this describes 質, not the simplified 质.

Open 质 →

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

Meaning part形符xíngfú
忄Written in full as心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
生
生shēng性xìng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

性 is built from 忄 (the heart) and 生 (a sound clue). The heart part connects the word to a person's inner nature or quality.

Open 性 →
Appears in
Abstract Concepts

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