Chinese word

本性

Pronunciation

Pinyinběn xìng

Meaning

  • nounnature

Example

人的本性很难改变。rén de běn xìng hěn nán gǎi biàn

Human nature is hard to change.

Illustration for 本性 (nature)

More examples

在熟悉的人面前，本性更容易显露。zài shú xī de rén miàn qián běn xìng gèng róng yì xiǎn lù

People are more likely to reveal their true nature around people they know well.

Core concept

The inner character that persists through time and shapes how a person tends to act.

Common phrases

  • 人的本性rén de běn xìng

    human nature

  • 显露本性xiǎn lù běn xìng

    reveal one's true nature

  • 掩饰本性yǎn shì běn xìng

    conceal one's true nature

Similar words

性格xìng gé: The distinctive traits and behavior patterns that show how a person usually thinks and acts.
脾气pí qì: A person's tendency to show anger or dissatisfaction, especially in reactions to problems.
性情xìng qíng: A person's emotional disposition, including how feelings arise and are expressed.
气质qì zhì: The natural impression or air conveyed through a person's appearance, speech, and manner.

Definition in Chinese

个人先天或长期形成的内在性格或行为倾向，常指根深蒂固、难以改变的特征。gè rén xiān tiān huò cháng qī xíng chéng de nèi zài xìng gé huò xíng wéi qīng xiàng cháng zhǐ gēn shēn dì gù nán yǐ gǎi biàn de tè zhēng

Word origin

The compound 本 (běn, "root") + 性 (xìng, "character") presents a person's character as having a deep root, yielding the sense of an established inner disposition.

Usage tips

  • It frames behavior as evidence of an underlying person, so it is stronger than wording that describes only a temporary mood or choice.

Opposites

Related words

  • 本性难移běn xìng nán yíhuman nature is hard to changeidiom
  • 本性使然běn xìng shǐ rándue to one's natureidiom

Word lists with this word