性质 (xìng zhì) — nature (the basic or inherent features of somet…

Definition

性质 stresses the inherent, fundamental nature of something. Closer to 本质 ('essence'); broader and more neutral than 特点 or 特征 ('feature/trait').

noun

nature (the basic or inherent features of something)characteristic (a distinguishing quality or trait)

Measure word · 个

Easily confused

性质。
Zhè liǎng zhǒng cái liào de xìng zhì wán quán bù tóng.
The natures of these two materials are completely different.
性质。
Wǒ men xū yào xiān liǎo jiě wèn tí de xìng zhì.
We need to understand the nature of the problem first.
性质。
Zhè ge huà xué fǎn yìng de xìng zhì hěn tè shū.
The characteristic of this chemical reaction is very special.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

The 性 (nature) and 质 (quality) both point to inherent features, giving nature or characteristic.

Characters in this word

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

忄生性

Meaning part形符xíngfú

忄Written in full as心xīnheart

Sound part声符shēngfú

生

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.

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.

斦貝質

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

Appears in