性質

• Reading: せいしつ
• Romaji: seishitsu
• Kanji breakdown: 性 (sei) — nature, character; 質 (shitsu) — quality, substance
• Pronunciation: /se.i.ɕi.tsɯ/

Meaning

Nature; disposition; character; inherent quality of a person or thing.

A noun describing the innate or fundamental qualities of something. Can refer to a person's temperament or a material's properties. Often appears in science for describing physical or chemical properties. More analytical than 性格, which is mainly about personality.

Examples

1. 水には透明な性質がある。 Water has a transparent quality.
2. 彼は穏やかな性質の持ち主だ。 He's someone with a gentle disposition.
3. この薬品の性質をよく調べてから使おう。 Let's thoroughly examine the properties of this chemical before using it.

Usage Guide

Context: science, personality, material properties

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 性 (nature, character) and 質 (quality, substance). Together they describe the essential quality or nature inherent in something.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal