根本性 (gēn běn xìng) — fundamental nature, essential character

Definition

noun

fundamental natureessential character

根本性。
Wǒ men bì xū rèn shi dào zhè ge wèn tí de gēn běn xìng.
We must recognize the fundamental nature of this problem.
根本性。
Zhè cì gǎi gé jù yǒu gēn běn xìng de yì yì.
This reform has fundamental significance.
根本性。
Tā men tǎo lùn le zhì dù de gēn běn xìng.
They discussed the essential character of the system.

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.

根本fundamental

联合Side by side

根 and 本 both mean base or origin, and 性 turns that into a quality.

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.

木艮根

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

艮

艮gèn根gēn(r)

Same sound today

根 pairs 木 (tree/wood), pointing to plant roots, with 艮 as a sound part.

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

本 adds a stroke at the bottom of a tree shape to mark the roots, giving the sense of foundation or original.

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.