Chinese word

人性

Pronunciation

Pinyinrén xìng

Meaning

  • nounhuman nature

Example

在压力下，人性会显现。zài yā lì xià rén xìng huì xiǎn xiàn

Under pressure, human nature emerges.

Illustration for 人性 (human nature)

More examples

志愿者的行为体现了人性的温暖。zhì yuàn zhě de xíng wéi tǐ xiàn le rén xìng de wēn nuǎn

The volunteer's actions embodied the warmth of human nature.

Core concept

The underlying human pattern revealed when difficult choices show what people tend to do.

Common phrases

  • 体现人性tǐ xiàn rén xìng

    embody human nature

  • 尊重人性zūn zhòng rén xìng

    respect human nature

  • 泯灭人性mǐn miè rén xìng

    destroy human nature

Similar words

本性běn xìng: A person's underlying nature, formed by birth and years of experience, that shapes reactions.
天性tiān xìng: A natural quality or tendency present from birth and unlikely to change.
性格xìng gé: The usual behavior patterns and temperament that make a person distinctive.
本质běn zhì: The fundamental quality or feature that forms the core of a person or thing.

Definition in Chinese

指人固有的、本能的或长期形成的性格与倾向，常在压力、诱惑或重大选择时显露。zhǐ rén gù yǒu de běn néng de huò cháng qī xíng chéng de xìng gé yǔ qīng xiàng cháng zài yā lì yòu huò huò zhòng dà xuǎn zé shí xiǎn lù

Word origin

人性 (rénxìng, "human nature") combines 人 (rén, "person") with 性 (xìng, "nature"), naming the nature inherent in people.

Usage tips

  • A concrete situation usually makes 人性 (rénxìng, "human nature") clearer in everyday conversation, because the word refers to an interpretation of conduct rather than to one isolated action.

Opposites

  • 野性yě xìnganimal naturenoun

Word lists with this word