Definition
先天 (xiāntiān) is a noun meaning 'congenital, inborn' — it refers to traits or conditions present from birth, contrasted with 后天 (hòutiān 'acquired later'). Unlike 天生 (tiānshēng), which describes a natural ability or quality, 先天 is often used in medical or formal contexts (e.g., 先天疾病 'congenital disease'). It's more specific than 自然 (zìrán 'natural, unaffected') or 天然 (tiānrán 'natural vs. artificial').
noun
congenital conditioninborn trait (the period before or at birth, contrasted with 后天 acquired later)innateinborn (used attributively)
Examples
- 先天，。xiān tiān jíbìng suīrán nán zhì, dàn xiàndài yīxué yǐjīng yǒu le hěnduō bànfǎ.Although congenital diseases are hard to treat, modern medicine already has many methods.
- 先天。xiān tiān de cáinéng xūyào hòutiān de nǔlì cáinéng fāhuī chūlái.Inborn talent needs acquired effort to be brought out.
- 先天。xiān tiān yīnsù hé hòutiān huánjìng gòngtóng juédìng le rén de fāzhǎn.Both innate factors and acquired environment together determine a person's development.
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