性
xìng
The Chinese word for sex is 性 (xìng).
The term 性 can refer to biological sex, gender or sexuality depending on the context. It often serves as a root for other words. For example, 性爱 refers to sexual love or sex. If you are filling out a form and need to specify biological sex or gender, use the compound term 性别.
Meaning: reproductive/sexual/gender category (female or male) (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The character 性 literally refers to nature, character or sex/gender.
Which one should you use?
While 性 can stand alone to mean sex, it is frequently used as a building block for more specific terms. For instance, 性行为 refers to sexual behavior and 性交 is a term used specifically for sexual intercourse.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, the term 做愛 is commonly used to mean 'to have sex'.
How do you pronounce it?
xìng
Did you know?
- In modern Chinese, 性 is used as a suffix to turn nouns into adjectives, similar to the English suffix '-ity' or '-ness'. For example, 可能性 means 'possibility'.
- The character 性 is composed of the radical for 'heart' (忄), meaning its original concept was rooted in one's 'innate nature' or 'character' rather than biology.
- In philosophical contexts, 性 refers to 'human nature' or 'essence'. This meaning is entirely separate from biological sex and is central to Confucian and Buddhist texts.
Examples in context
- 她很反感性愛。She strongly dislikes sex.This sentence uses 性 to express a strong dislike of sex.Tatoeba #6467548 by xjjAstrus, translation #9408477 by BobbyLee
- 我要和她發生性關係。I want to have sex with her.This sentence uses 性 to describe the desire to have sex with a woman.Tatoeba #5836300 by xjjAstrus, translation #1120858 by cntrational
- 我要和他發生性關係。I want to have sex with him.This sentence uses 性 to describe the desire to have sex with a man.Tatoeba #5836302 by xjjAstrus, translation #1120857 by cntrational
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A doctor is asking a patient about their medical information.
- 梓涵 Zihan请问您的性别是什么？Qǐngwèn nín de xìngbié shì shénme?May I ask what your sex is?
- 志强 Zhiqiang我是男性。Wǒ shì nánxìng.I am male.
- 梓涵 Zihan好的，性别栏已经填好了。Hǎo de, xìngbié lán yǐjīng tián hǎo le.Okay, the sex field is filled in.
- 志强 Zhiqiang谢谢你。Xièxiè nǐ.Thank you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 性, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
