Chinese word

天性

Pronunciation

Pinyintiān xìng

Meaning

  • nounnature

Example

诚实是他的天性。chéng shí shì tā de tiān xìng

Honesty is in his nature.

Illustration for 天性 (nature)

More examples

他的音乐才能发自天性。tā de yīn yuè cái néng fā zì tiān xìng

His musical talent is innate.

Core concept

A built-in pattern of feeling and acting that seems part of who a person is.

Common phrases

  • 出于天性chū yú tiān xìng

    by instinct

  • 人的天性rén de tiān xìng

    human nature

  • 发自天性fā zì tiān xìng

    by nature

Similar words

本性běn xìng: An inborn basic nature that shows in a person's thoughts and actions.
本能běn néng: An inborn bodily reaction or desire that appears without learning or conscious thought.
性格xìng gé: A lasting pattern of feelings and behavior that shapes relationships and decisions.
习性xí xìng: A repeated behavior or way of living learned through experience and practice.

Definition in Chinese

与生俱来、较为稳定的内在性格或行为倾向，不是后天暂时形成的习惯。yǔ shēng jù lái jiào wéi wěn dìng de nèi zài xìng gé huò xíng wéi qīng xiàng bú shì hòu tiān zàn shí xíng chéng de xí guàn

Word origin

天性 (tiānxìng, "inborn nature") combines 天 (tiān, "heaven") with 性 (xìng, "inner nature"), presenting a stable disposition as something given from birth.

Usage tips

  • English speakers can mistake a natural-looking action for a learned routine, but this noun highlights an underlying disposition rather than repeated practice.

Other meanings

  • instinctnoun
  • temperamentnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word