内在 (nèi zài) — inner, internal, intrinsic

Definition

Adjective meaning 'inner, internal' (qualities, logic, world) — contrasts with 外在 ('external, extrinsic'). For innate traits you can also meet 先天, but 内在 emphasizes what lies within a thing's structure rather than being present from birth.

adjective
innerinternalintrinsic

Examples

  • 内在
    Yí gè rén de nèi zài pǐn zhì bǐ wài biǎo gèng zhòng yào.
    A person's inner qualities are more important than their appearance.
  • 内在
    Zhè ge lǐ lùn yǒu nèi zài de luó ji máo dùn.
    This theory has an internal logical contradiction.
  • 内在
    Tā tōng guò míng xiǎng tàn suǒ zì jǐ de nèi zài shì jiè.
    She explores her inner world through meditation.

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