性

• Pinyin: xìng
• Hanzi breakdown: 性 = 忄 (heart) + 生 (life/born), meaning innate nature or character

Meaning

A suffix indicating nature, quality, or tendency. Added to adjectives or nouns to form abstract nouns describing properties or characteristics.

One of the most productive suffixes in Chinese. When attached to adjectives, it creates abstract nouns: 积极性 (enthusiasm/initiative), 重要性 (importance), 可能性 (possibility), 安全性 (safety), 创造性 (creativity). It transforms descriptive words into concepts that can be discussed as standalone ideas. Essential for formal and academic language.

Examples

1. 我们要提高员工的积极性。 We need to raise the enthusiasm of the employees.
2. 这件事的重要性大家都知道。 Everyone knows the importance of this matter.
3. 这个方法的安全性怎么样？ How is the safety of this method?

Usage Guide

Context: academic, work, discussion

Tone: analytical

Do Say

• 这个计划的可能性很大。(The possibility of this plan is high.)
• 安全性是最重要的。(Safety is the most important thing.)

Don't Say

• 这个菜的好吃性很高。(Not all adjectives naturally take 性 — 好吃 does not form 好吃性. Use established compounds like 积极性, 重要性, 可能性.)

Origin & History

性 originally meant 'nature' or 'innate character' (from 心 heart + 生 born). Its use as a suffix evolved from this core meaning — adding 性 turns a quality into its abstract essence or inherent nature.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal