Chinese word

本质

Pronunciation

Pinyinběn zhì

Meaning

  • nounessence

Example

别只看表面，要看本质。bié zhǐ kàn biǎo miàn yào kàn běn zhì

Don't just look at the surface; look at its essence.

Illustration for 本质 (essence)

More examples

我们要从多个角度分析，找到问题的本质。wǒ men yào cóng duō gè jiǎo dù fēn xī zhǎo dào wèn tí de běn zhì

We should analyze the problem from multiple angles and find its essence.

Core concept

A solid inner core beneath changing outer features.

Common phrases

  • 问题的本质wèn tí de běn zhì

    essence of the problem

  • 事情的本质shì qíng de běn zhì

    essence of the matter

  • 抓住本质zhuā zhù běn zhì

    grasp the essence

Similar words

实质shí zhì: The actual content or reality of something, regardless of how it looks or is presented.
核心hé xīn: The key central part on which an issue or matter mainly depends.
要旨yào zhǐ: A short summary of the main idea and content of a text or speech.

Definition in Chinese

问题或事物的核心和要点。wèn tí huò shì wù de hé xīn hé yào diǎn

Word origin

本 (běn, "root") + 质 (zhì, "substance") combines the idea of a foundation with the nature of a thing to name its defining inner quality.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, it often follows a verb of seeing, understanding, or grasping, marking the result of looking past appearances rather than a feature that can be seen directly.

Other meanings

  • corenoun
  • true naturenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 本质上běn zhì shàngessentiallyadverb
  • 本质性běn zhì xìngessentialitynoun

Word lists with this word