HSK · Level 59
105 words
Chinese word
遗传
Pronunciation
Pinyinyí chuán
Meaning
- verbbe inherited
Example
这种病会遗传。zhè zhǒng bìng huì yí chuán
This disease can be inherited.
More examples
这种疾病是从父母遗传来的。zhè zhǒng jí bìng shì cóng fù mǔ yí chuán lái de
This disease is inherited from one's parents.
Core concept
A characteristic travels from parents or ancestors into later generations and may reappear in the family.
Common phrases
会遗传huì yí chuán
can be inherited
遗传给yí chuán gěi
pass on to
从父母遗传cóng fù mǔ yí chuán
inherit from one's parents
Similar words
传染chuán rǎn: Spread an illness or virus between people.
继承jì chéng: Take over property, rights, or a social position from an earlier generation.
传承chuán chéng: Continue culture, skills, or customs by passing them on to later generations.
Definition in Chinese
指生物的性状或疾病从父母或祖辈传给子女，也指某些性格或体质在家族中代代出现。zhǐ shēng wù de xìng zhuàng huò jí bìng cóng fù mǔ huò zǔ bèi chuán gěi zí nǚ yě zhǐ mǒu xiē xìng gé huò tǐ zhì zài jiā zú zhōng dài dài chū xiàn
Word origin
The compound 遗 (yí, "leave behind") + 传 (chuán, "pass on") connects an inherited feature with the idea of leaving it for a later generation.
Usage tips
- English speakers often associate inheritance with property, but this Chinese word is mainly used for traits and illnesses that appear across generations.
Other meanings
- inheritverb
- hereditaryadjective
Related words
- 遗传病yí chuán bìnghereditary diseasenoun
- 遗传学yí chuán xuégeneticsnoun