本能

• Pinyin: běn néng
• Hanzi breakdown: 本 = 木 (tree) + 一 (root marker); 能 = 厶 + 月 + 匕匕 (bear/ability)

Meaning

Instinct; innate ability. Natural, unlearned behavior or response.

Inborn behaviors or responses that don't require learning or conscious thought. Used both for biological instincts (survival, reproduction) and for deeply ingrained responses that feel automatic.

Examples

1. 遇到危险时，逃跑是人的本能反应。 When facing danger, fleeing is a human instinctive response.
2. 母亲保护孩子是一种本能。 A mother protecting her child is an instinct.
3. 他本能地伸手挡住了飞来的球。 He instinctively reached out to block the ball flying toward him.

Usage Guide

Context: biology, psychology, behavior

Tone: analytical

Do Say

• 这是人的本能。(This is human instinct.)
• 他本能地退后了一步。(He instinctively stepped back.)

Don't Say

• 把学到的技能说成'本能' (Don't call learned skills 本能 — instinct refers to innate, unlearned responses)

Origin & History

本 (root/fundamental) + 能 (ability). Fundamental, innate ability.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal