Definition
性 (xìng) is a suffix that turns adjectives or verbs into abstract nouns, like '-ness' or '-ity' in English (e.g., 安全 'safe' → 安全性 'safety'). Unlike the noun 属性 (shǔxìng, 'attribute, property'), which is a standalone word for a specific trait, 性 is a bound suffix that attaches to other words to form a general quality or state.
suffix
(suffix) forms abstract nouns from adjectives or verbsindicating a qualitypropertyor state
Easily confused
- 姓xìnglook-alike(noun) surname, family name
- 行xíngsound-alike(verb) to walk; to go
- 胜shènglook-aliketo win; to defeat
- 醒xǐngsound-aliketo wake up; to be awake
- 愣lènglook-alike(verb) to stare blankly, to be stupefied
- 腥xīngsound-alikefishy (smell or taste)
Examples
- 。Zhège wèntí de zhǔnquèxìng hěn zhòngyào.The accuracy of this problem is very important.
- 。Shǒujī de ānquánxìng yuèláiyuè hǎo le.The security of smartphones is getting better and better.
- 性。Zhèzhǒng cáiliào de shíyòngxìng hěn gāo.This kind of material has very high practicality.
Grammar
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