性 xìng — nature · English

性

xìng

nature

At a glance · 性

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Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested：oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

「性」从心生声，小篆从心性声，形声清晰。

What the sketch shows

Origins & notes

「性」本义为人的本性、天性，引申性质、性别。

Structure

从心、生声，形声字，心表义类，生表音兼表天生之意。

At a glance

Pinyinxìng

Radical忄

Strokes8

UnicodeU+6027

Character type形声

Theme德行

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English nature nature, character, sex

Français nature / caractère Nature, caractère. «性静情逸» : la nature calme, l'esprit libre.

Español naturaleza / carácter Naturaleza, carácter. «性静情逸»: naturaleza calmada, espíritu libre.

العربية طبيعة / شخصية طبيعة، شخصية. «性静情逸»: طبيعة هادئة وروح حرة.

Русский природа / характер Природа, характер. «性静情逸»: спокойная натура, свободный дух.

Common words

性格xìng gécharacter
性质xìng zhìnature

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