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内向 (nèi xiàng) — introverted, reserved (personality); (economics) domestic-oriented

Definition

内向 describes personality: 'introverted' — quiet, inward-focused, opposite of 外向. 含蓄 overlaps but means 'reserved/restrained in expression', not the same as being introverted.

adjective
introvertedreserved (personality)(economics) domestic-oriented

Examples

  • 内向，。
    Tā xìng gé bǐ jiào nèi xiàng, bù cháng zhǔ dòng shuō huà.
    He is relatively introverted and doesn't often initiate conversation.
  • ，内向。
    Wài xiàng de rén xǐ huan rè nao, nèi xiàng de rén xǐ huan ān jìng.
    Extroverted people like bustle, introverted people like quiet.
  • 内向？
    Nǐ jué de zì jǐ shì yí gè nèi xiàng de rén ma?
    Do you think you are an introverted person?

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nèiinside
向xiàngdirection

"内" means inside and "向" means direction, describing a person or economy turned inward.

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 →

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

向 originally drew 宀 (house) with 口 to show an echo in a place; later it was used for direction.

Open 向 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9

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