本性

běn xìng

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Noun Uncommon

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Definitions

1. natural instincts
2. nature
3. inherent quality

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Word relationships

Related words

2 items

• 本性难移 běn xìng nán yí 本性难移 běn xìng nán yí It is hard to change one's essential nature (idiom). You can't change who you are. 固定搭配: It is hard to change one's essential nature (idiom). You can't change who you are.
• 江山易改，本性难移 jiāng shān yì gǎi , běn xìng nán yí 江山易改，本性难移 jiāng shān yì gǎi , běn xìng nán yí it is easier to change mountains and rivers than to alter one's character (idiom) 谚语: it is easier to change mountains and rivers than to alter one's character (idiom)

Synonyms

2 items

• 天性 tiān xìng 天性 tiān xìng nature 与生俱来的品性: nature
• 本质 běn zhì 本质 běn zhì essence 根本属性: essence

Usage notes

Collocations

本性 often appears in the fixed phrase 本性难移 (one's nature is hard to change) or the proverb 江山易改，本性难移.

Common mistakes

Do not confuse 本性 (innate nature) with 本能 (instinct). 本性 refers to inherent character, while 本能 refers to instinctive reaction.

Example Sentences

1 shown

贪婪是他的 本性 。

Greed is his nature.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 本性

• 本性难移 本性难移 běn xìng nán yí: It is hard to change one's essential nature (idiom). You can't change who you are.
• 江山易改，本性难移 江山易改，本性难移 jiāng shān yì gǎi , běn xìng nán yí: it is easier to change mountains and rivers than to alter one's character (idiom)

Child Words of 本性

• 性 性 xìng: characteristic
• 本 本 běn: root