Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
性格 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
性格xìnggénatureHSK 4, n, rank #3374, Medium
性格xìnggédispositionHSK 4, n, rank #3374, Medium
性格xìnggétemperamentHSK 4, n, rank #3374, Medium
性格xìnggécharacterHSK 4, n, rank #3374, Medium
性格xìnggé>个[gè]HSK 4, n, rank #3374, Medium
xìnggé(xing4ge2) T4
  1. 1nature
  2. 2disposition
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
性格xìnggé(xing4ge2)

性格 (xìnggé) refers to an individual's inherent traits, personality, or temperament. It is commonly used in contexts discussing personal characteristics, such as describing someone's behavior or emotional tendencies, and can also pertain to broader discussions of human nature.

Frequency#3374DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, discussing 性格 is important in social interactions. Understanding someone's 性格 can influence relationship dynamics, particularly in family and workplace settings, where harmony and understanding are valued.

Memory Tip

Think of 性 (xìng) as 'nature' and 格 (gé) as 'frame' or 'pattern.' Visualize someone with a specific temperament framed within their nature, helping you remember that 性格 is about the framework of one's character.

Meanings of 性格

xìnggé(xing4ge2)
1nature
2disposition
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 性格

性格Simplified
Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#3374Frequency Rank
Measure Word
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 性格

JasonAmy

Podcast: 性格

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 性格

Quick Contrast

个性 (gèxìng) refers to an individual's unique characteristics or individuality, while 性格 (xìnggé) emphasizes inherent traits and temperament.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 性 (xìng) as 'nature' and 格 (gé) as 'frame' or 'pattern.' Visualize someone with a specific temperament framed within their nature, helping you remember that 性格 is about the framework of one's character.

Usage Notes

Be mindful not to confuse 性格 with 性 (xìng), which means 'sex' or 'gender.' While 性格 is used in both formal and informal settings, it often appears in psychological discussions or character assessments. Common collocations include 性格特征 (xìnggé tèzhēng) meaning 'character traits.'

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 4 word, 性格 connects with other vocabulary about emotions and personal attributes, such as 心情 (xīnqíng, mood) and 个性 (gèxìng, individuality). Focus on using it in sentences that describe people’s behavior or feelings.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, discussing 性格 is important in social interactions. Understanding someone's 性格 can influence relationship dynamics, particularly in family and workplace settings, where harmony and understanding are valued.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 性格 with 性 (xìng) when discussing personality. For example, saying '他的性很好' (tā de xìng hěn hǎo) is incorrect; it should be '他的性格很好' (tā de xìnggé hěn hǎo).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 性格

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 性格 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Component Characters

xìngnature
HSK 48 strokes
View full entry
square
HSK 710 strokes
View full entry

Write 性格

Practice writing 性格 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 性格

性格 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

那个人____很好。

That person has a great personality.

Example Sentences for 性格 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
命运已经决定了他们的性格为人。

mìng yùn yǐ jīng jué dìng le tā mén de xìng gé wéi rén。

Destiny has ordained that they are who they are.
2
他是个不错的小伙子——聪明伶俐而且性格开朗。

tā shì gè bù cuò de xiǎo huǒ zǐ—— —— cōng míng líng lì ér qiě xìng gé kāi。

He was a nice lad — bright and with a sunny disposition.
3
国际象棋大师们以性格怪异和好与人争辩而闻名。

guó jì xiàng qí dà shī mén yǐ xìng gé guài yì hé hǎo yǔ rén zhēng biàn ér wén míng。

Great chess players have a reputation for being both eccentric and argumentative.
4
他们的性格已经完全形成,两人都是非常持重的孩子。

tā mén de xìng gé yǐ jīng wán quán xíng chéng, , liǎng rén dū shì fēi cháng chí zhòng de hái。

Their characters are fully formed and they are both very stable children.
5
我虽然性格极为内敛,但喜欢和人接触。

wǒ suī rán xìng gé jí wéi nèi liǎn, , dàn xǐ huān hé rén jiē。

Even though I'm quite a reserved person, I like meeting people.
6
他是个遇难而退的人,照他的性格,不可能长期保住冠军的称号。

tā shì gè yù nán ér tuì de rén, , zhào tā de xìng, gé , bù kě néng cháng qī bǎo zhù guān jūn de。

He is a quitter who is temperamentally unsuited to remaining a champion.
7
这把她描绘得很懦弱,其实她性格十分坚强。

zhè bǎ tā miáo huì dé hěn nuò ruò, , qí shí tā xìng gé shí fēn jiān。

This portrays her as wimpy, but she has a very strong character.
8
她勃发的热情和阳光的性格征服了我。

tā bó fā de rè qíng hé yáng guāng de xìng gé zhēng fú le wǒ。

Her burst of exuberance and her brightness overwhelmed me.
9
她一点儿都没表现出同龄人那种自恋和虚无主义的性格倾向。

tā yī diǎn ér dū méi biǎo xiàn chū tóng líng rén nà zhǒng zì liàn hé xū wú zhǔ yì de xìng gé qīng xiàng。

She exhibited none of the narcissistic and nihilistic tendencies of her peers.
10
性格和外表是分不开的,而且观其形知其性。

xìng gé hé wài biǎo shì fēn bù kāi de, , ér qiě guān qí xíng zhī qí。

Character is not separable from physical form but is governed by it.

Cultural Notes for 性格

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, discussing 性格 is important in social interactions. Understanding someone's 性格 can influence relationship dynamics, particularly in family and workplace settings, where harmony and understanding are valued.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, personality traits are often categorized using specific frameworks like the Big Five, while in Chinese culture, the emphasis might be more on harmony and relational tendencies.

Frequently Asked Questions about 性格

You can say 他的性格很好 (tā de xìnggé hěn hǎo), meaning 'His character is very good.'