天生

tiānshēng

nature

HSK 7

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"天生" (tiānshēng) means "innate" or "natural," referring to qualities or abilities a person is born with rather than acquired later. It often describes talents, traits, or characteristics that are inherent.

Common Contexts

You will often see "天生" used with words like "" (talent), "能力" (ability), or personality traits such as optimism or introversion. It emphasizes that these qualities are not learned but part of one's nature.

Collocations

  • 天生: innate talent, used to highlight natural gifts
  • 天生乐观: naturally optimistic, describing personality
  • 天生缺陷: congenital defect, referring to physical or genetic conditions

Usage Notes

"天生" is typically used as an adjective before a noun or as an adverbial phrase describing how something is by nature. It contrasts with acquired skills or learned behaviors. Avoid confusing it with "" which often refers to natural things in the environment rather than innate human traits.

Example Sentences

他天生就有音乐天赋。

Tā tiānshēng jiù yǒu yīnyuè tiānfù.

He is naturally gifted in music.

这种能力是天生的,无法通过学习获得。

Zhè zhǒng nénglì shì tiānshēng de, wúfǎ tōngguò xuéxí huòdé.

This ability is innate and cannot be acquired through learning.

她天生乐观,总是能看到事情积极的一面。

Tā tiānshēng lèguān, zǒng shì néng kàn dào shìqíng jījí de yīmiàn.

She is naturally optimistic and always sees the positive side of things.