生来 (shēng lái) — by nature, from birth, inherently

Definition

生来 (shēnglái) is an adverb meaning 'from birth' or 'by nature' — it appears before a verb/adjective to mark an inborn trait, often with 就. It contrasts with 后来 or 渐渐, which mark change over time.

adverb
by naturefrom birthinherently

Examples

  • 生来。
    Tā shēng lái jiù hěn cōng ming.
    He was very smart from birth.
  • 生来。
    Tā shēng lái jiù yǒu yí fù hǎo sǎng zi.
    She was born with a good voice.
  • 生来。
    Zhè zhǒng niǎo shēng lái jiù huì yóu yǒng.
    This kind of bird can swim from birth.

Origin

Characters in this word

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

生 shows 屮 (a bud) above 一 (the ground), drawing a sprout coming up from the earth.

Open 生 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 來; 来 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 來 shows a wheat plant: a central ear, upward leaves, and downward stem and roots. The simplified 来 is a later shorthand.

Open 来 →

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