Keywords: 性, xing, sex in Chinese, gender in Chinese, Chinese suffix -ness, human nature in Chinese, Chinese personality, 性格 xingge, 性别 xingbie, 可能性 kenengxing, 重要性 zhongyaoxing
Summary: The Chinese character 性 (xìng) is a remarkably versatile term with deep roots in philosophy and wide-ranging use in modern language. For beginners, understanding 性 is key to unlocking three major concepts: 1) the inherent “nature” or “character” of a person or thing (like personality), 2) biological “sex” or “gender”, and 3) its function as a suffix similar to “-ness” or “-ity” in English, used to create abstract nouns like “possibility” (可能性) or “importance” (重要性).
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): xìng
Part of Speech: Noun, Suffix
HSK Level: HSK 3 (in words like 性格, 性别)
Concise Definition: The inherent nature, quality, or character of a person or thing; also refers to sex or gender.
In a Nutshell: At its heart, 性 (xìng) refers to the fundamental, inborn quality of something. Think of it as the “essence” or “what-it-is-ness” of a thing. When applied to people, this can be their personality (性格 xìnggé) or their gender (性别 xìngbié). When used as a suffix, it takes a quality (like “possible”) and turns it into an abstract concept (like “possibility”).
Character Breakdown
性 (xìng): This is a phono-semantic compound character, meaning its parts hint at both its meaning and its sound.
忄(xīn): The left part is a radical form of 心 (xīn), which means “heart” or “mind”. This part provides the core meaning, linking 性 to concepts of inner feelings, disposition, and one's core being.
生 (shēng): The right part means “to be born” or “life”. It provides the sound (shēng is similar to xìng) and also reinforces the meaning of something being innate, inborn, or a part of life itself.
Together, “heart/mind” + “birth/life” create a powerful image of one's inborn nature or innate disposition.
Cultural Context and Significance
In Chinese philosophy, 性 is a cornerstone concept, particularly in discussions of 人性 (rénxìng), or “human nature”. The most famous debate is between the Confucian scholars Mencius (孟子) and Xunzi (荀子). Mencius championed the theory of 性善说 (xìng shàn shuō), the belief that human nature is inherently good. In contrast, Xunzi argued for 性恶论 (xìng è lùn), the belief that human nature is inherently selfish or bad and requires education and ritual to become good. This fundamental philosophical debate has shaped Chinese ethics and education for centuries.
Compared to the West, where “sex” can be discussed quite openly, the topic of 性 in its sexual sense has traditionally been more private or taboo in Chinese culture. While this is changing rapidly, especially among younger generations, the word can still carry a more clinical or serious weight than its English counterpart. For example, discussing one's 性生活 (xìngshēnghuó - sex life) is typically reserved for very close friends or a doctor, not casual conversation.
Practical Usage in Modern China
1. Describing “Nature” or “Personality”
This is one of the most common daily uses. The word 性格 (xìnggé) means “personality” or “temperament”.
Example: 他的性格很好 (Tā de xìnggé hěn hǎo) - “His personality is very good.”
Other related words include 个性 (gèxìng), meaning “individuality” or a “strong character”.
2. Referring to “Sex” or “Gender”
The word 性别 (xìngbié) is the standard term for “sex” or “gender”, used on official forms and in formal contexts.
Example: 请在表格上填写您的姓名和性别。(Qǐng zài biǎogé shàng tiánxiě nín de xìngmíng hé xìngbié.) - “Please fill in your name and gender on the form.”
Words like 男性 (nánxìng) for “male” and 女性 (nǚxìng) for “female” are common.
It's also the root for words related to sexuality, like 性感 (xìnggǎn), meaning “sexy”.
3. As a Suffix for “-ness” or “-ity”
This is a crucial grammatical function for intermediate learners. Adding 性 to an adjective or noun creates a new abstract noun. It makes a concept more formal, scientific, or philosophical.
English: On the application form, you need to fill in your gender: male or female.
Analysis: This shows 性 as part of 性别 (xìngbié), the formal and standard word for “gender” or “sex”.
Example 3:
这次任务成功的可能性有多大？
Pinyin: Zhè cì rènwù chénggōng de kěnéngxìng yǒu duō dà?
English: What is the probability (lit: possibility) of this mission succeeding?
Analysis: A perfect example of 性 used as a suffix. It transforms the adjective 可能 (kěnéng - possible) into the abstract noun 可能性 (kěnéngxìng - possibility).
Example 4:
老师强调了教育的重要性。
Pinyin: Lǎoshī qiángdiàole jiàoyù de zhòngyàoxìng.
English: The teacher emphasized the importance of education.
Analysis: Similar to the previous example, 性 turns 重要 (zhòngyào - important) into the concept of “importance” (重要性 zhòngyàoxìng), making the sentence sound more formal.
Example 5:
孟子认为人性本善。
Pinyin: Mèngzǐ rènwéi rénxìng běn shàn.
English: Mencius believed that human nature is inherently good.
Analysis: This is the philosophical use of 性 in the term 人性 (rénxìng - human nature). It shows the deep cultural roots of the character.
English: This material's elasticity is very good; it doesn't break easily.
Analysis: Here, 性 describes the inherent property of an object. 弹性 (tánxìng) means “elasticity” or “flexibility.”
Example 7:
我们必须考虑这个计划的可行性。
Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū kǎolǜ zhège jìhuà de kěxíngxìng.
English: We must consider the feasibility of this plan.
Analysis: Another suffix example. 可行 (kěxíng) means “feasible,” so 可行性 (kěxíngxìng) is the abstract noun “feasibility.” This is common in business and formal contexts.
Example 8:
她今天穿的裙子很性感。
Pinyin: Tā jīntiān chuān de qúnzi hěn xìnggǎn.
English: The dress she is wearing today is very sexy.
Analysis: This shows 性 used in the context of sexuality. 性感 (xìnggǎn) literally translates to “sex-feeling” and is the direct word for “sexy.”
English: Many chemical substances are either acidic or alkaline in nature.
Analysis: A scientific usage. 性 is used to denote a chemical property. 酸性 (suānxìng) is “acidity” and 碱性 (jiǎnxìng) is “alkalinity.”
Nuances and Common Mistakes
Don't ask “你的性是什么?” (Nǐ de xìng shì shénme?): This is a classic mistake. While you might be trying to ask “What is your gender?”, asking for someone's 性 directly sounds very strange and could be misinterpreted as asking about their sexuality or sexual preferences. The correct and polite way is to ask for their 性别 (xìngbié).
性 as a suffix is often more formal: While you can say “这件事很重要” (This matter is very important), saying “我们应该认识到这件事的重要性” (We should recognize the importance of this matter) is more formal and analytical. As a beginner, you'll use the adjective form more, but it's crucial to recognize the noun form with 性.
Not just for humans: Remember that 性 can describe the inherent nature of anything, not just people. It's used for the properties of materials (弹性 - elasticity), chemicals (酸性 - acidity), or even abstract concepts (风险性 - riskiness).
Related Terms and Concepts
性格 (xìnggé) - Personality, character, disposition. (The most common “nature” word for people).
性别 (xìngbié) - Gender, sex. (The standard term for use on forms and in formal discussion).
人性 (rénxìng) - Human nature. (A philosophical and profound concept).