xìnggé: 性格 - Personality, Character, Disposition

• Keywords: 性格, xingge, Chinese for personality, Chinese character, disposition in Chinese, temperament, describe personality in Chinese, what is xingge, HSK 3 vocabulary.
• Summary: 性格 (xìnggé) is the essential Chinese word for “personality” or “character.” It refers to the fundamental, stable traits that define a person's nature and how they typically behave, think, and feel. Understanding 性格 is key to describing people, discussing relationships, and navigating social and professional situations in China. This page will break down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical use in everyday conversation.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xìnggé
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: A person's personality, character, or disposition.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 性格 (xìnggé) as the standard, go-to term for “personality” in Chinese. It's the word you use to describe someone's core nature—whether they are introverted, optimistic, stubborn, or easygoing. It encapsulates the enduring patterns of a person's behavior and inner self.

• 性 (xìng): This character relates to “nature,” “inherent quality,” or “disposition.” It's the same character used in words like `性别 (xìngbié)` for “gender” and `本性 (běnxìng)` for “innate nature.” It points to something fundamental and intrinsic.
• 格 (gé): This character means “standard,” “style,” “pattern,” or “framework.” You see it in words like `风格 (fēnggé)` for “style” and `格子 (gézi)` for “grid” or “checkered pattern.” It implies a structure or a defined way of being.
• Combined Meaning: Together, 性 (nature) + 格 (pattern) literally create the meaning “a pattern of one's nature.” This perfectly captures the idea of a stable, consistent set of personal traits that form a person's character—their personality.

In Chinese culture, a person's 性格 is considered a deeply important aspect of who they are, influencing everything from friendships and marriage to career success. While Western culture often praises dynamic, individualistic, and outspoken personalities, traditional Chinese values have historically prized personality traits that promote group harmony and social stability. For example, a “good” 性格 (`性格好`) is often associated with being:

• 随和 (suíhé): Easygoing, agreeable
• 稳重 (wěnzhòng): Steady, calm, reliable
• 内向 (nèixiàng): Introverted, thoughtful (This is often viewed more neutrally or even positively compared to the strong Western preference for extroversion).
• 善良 (shànliáng): Kind-hearted

This contrasts with a Western context where being “assertive” or “a strong personality” might be seen as unequivocally positive. In China, such traits could be perceived as aggressive or disruptive if not balanced with respect for others. In modern China, especially in business and among younger generations, Western ideas of personality are more common. However, the underlying cultural preference for traits that ensure smooth social interactions remains influential. When describing someone's 性格, Chinese speakers are often making a profound judgment about their suitability as a friend, partner, or colleague.

性格 is a high-frequency word used in many everyday situations.

• General Conversation: It's the most common way to ask about or describe someone. A typical question is `他是什么性格？(Tā shì shénme xìnggé?)` - “What is his personality like?”
• Dating and Relationships: Personality compatibility (`性格合不合 - xìnggé hébùhé`) is a crucial topic. Couples might break up because of `性格不合 (xìnggé bùhé)` - “incompatible personalities.”
• Job Interviews: Employers often ask about a candidate's 性格 to see if they are a good fit for the team and the role. For example, a sales job might require an `外向 (wàixiàng)` or outgoing personality.
• Positive vs. Negative: The word 性格 itself is neutral. It becomes positive or negative based on the adjective used with it.
  • Positive: `性格好 (xìnggé hǎo)` - good personality, `性格开朗 (xìnggé kāilǎng)` - cheerful personality.
  • Negative: `性格不好 (xìnggé bù hǎo)` - bad personality, `性格很怪 (xìnggé hěn guài)` - very strange personality.

• Example 1:
  • 她的性格非常好，大家都喜欢她。
  • Pinyin: Tā de xìnggé fēicháng hǎo, dàjiā dōu xǐhuān tā.
  • English: Her personality is excellent, everyone likes her.
  • Analysis: This is a common and straightforward way to praise someone's character. `非常好 (fēicháng hǎo)` is a strong compliment.
• Example 2:
  • 你觉得我男朋友的性格怎么样？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ juéde wǒ nánpéngyǒu de xìnggé zěnmeyàng?
  • English: What do you think of my boyfriend's personality?
  • Analysis: `怎么样 (zěnmeyàng)` is a standard way to ask for an opinion about something, in this case, a person's character.
• Example 素敵:
  • 我们因为性格不合而分手了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen yīnwèi xìnggé bù hé ér fēnshǒu le.
  • English: We broke up because our personalities were incompatible.
  • Analysis: `性格不合 (xìnggé bùhé)` is a very common and socially acceptable reason for a breakup or divorce in China. `因为…而… (yīnwèi…ér…)` is a structure meaning “because of… as a result…”
• Example 4:
  • 这个工作需要一个性格外向的人。
  • Pinyin: Zhège gōngzuò xūyào yīgè xìnggé wàixiàng de rén.
  • English: This job requires a person with an extroverted personality.
  • Analysis: This shows how 性格 is used in a professional or job-related context. `外向 (wàixiàng)` means extroverted or outgoing.
• Example 5:
  • 一个人的性格是很难改变的。
  • Pinyin: Yīgè rén de xìnggé shì hěn nán gǎibiàn de.
  • English: A person's personality is very difficult to change.
  • Analysis: This sentence reflects the common belief that 性格 is a deep and stable part of a person. The `是…的 (shì…de)` structure is used here for emphasis.
• Example 6:
  • 我喜欢他直率的性格。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xǐhuān tā zhíshuài de xìnggé.
  • English: I like his straightforward personality.
  • Analysis: `直率 (zhíshuài)` is an adjective meaning frank or straightforward. This shows how you can use specific adjectives to describe a particular aspect of someone's 性格.
• Example 7:
  • 他性格内向，不太喜欢说话。
  • Pinyin: Tā xìnggé nèixiàng, bù tài xǐhuān shuōhuà.
  • English: He has an introverted personality and doesn't like to talk much.
  • Analysis: `内向 (nèixiàng)` means introverted. This is a simple and neutral description of a personality type.
• Example 8:
  • 他的性格有点古怪，你最好小心一点。
  • Pinyin: Tā de xìnggé yǒudiǎn gǔguài, nǐ zuìhǎo xiǎoxīn yīdiǎn.
  • English: His personality is a bit weird, you'd better be a little careful.
  • Analysis: `古怪 (gǔguài)` means weird or eccentric. `有点 (yǒudiǎn)` softens the adjective slightly. This is a good example of a negative description.
• Example 9:
  • 父母的教育对孩子的性格有很大的影响。
  • Pinyin: Fùmǔ de jiàoyù duì háizi de xìnggé yǒu hěn dà de yǐngxiǎng.
  • English: Parents' upbringing has a big influence on a child's personality.
  • Analysis: The structure `对…有影响 (duì…yǒu yǐngxiǎng)` means “to have an influence on…”. This sentence discusses the formation of one's 性格.
• Example 10:
  • 别看他平时很安静，他的性格其实很坚强。
  • Pinyin: Bié kàn tā píngshí hěn ānjìng, tā de xìnggé qíshí hěn jiānqiáng.
  • English: Don't just look at how quiet he usually is; his character is actually very strong and resilient.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the difference between appearance and underlying character. `坚强 (jiānqiáng)` means strong or resilient.

• 性格 (xìnggé) vs. 脾气 (píqi): This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
  • 性格 (xìnggé) is your deep, stable, long-term personality (e.g., kind, optimistic, pessimistic).
  • 脾气 (píqi) is your temper or short-term disposition (e.g., irritable, good-tempered, patient).
  • A person can have a good 性格 (be a kind person) but a bad 脾气 (get angry easily).
  • Correct: `他性格很好，就是脾气有点大。` (Tā xìnggé hěn hǎo, jiùshì píqi yǒudiǎn dà.) - “He has a good personality, it's just that he has a bit of a bad temper.”
  • Incorrect: `他脾气很开朗。` (Tā píqi hěn kāilǎng.) - You can't use “temper” with “cheerful.” You should say `他性格很开朗。` (Tā xìnggé hěn kāilǎng.).
• 性格 vs. 个性 (gèxìng):
  • 性格 (xìnggé) is the general word for personality/character.
  • 个性 (gèxìng) emphasizes individuality, uniqueness, and personal flair. It's closer to “individuality” or “having a strong personality.”
  • You might say `他很有个性 (tā hěn yǒu gèxìng)` to mean “He really has his own style/is a real individual,” which is different from `他性格很好 (tā xìnggé hěn hǎo)` which means “He has a good personality.”

• 脾气 (píqi) - Temperament, temper. Refers to one's short-term mood and proneness to anger, not their core personality.
• 个性 (gèxìng) - Individuality, personal style. Emphasizes uniqueness rather than general character traits.
• 品格 (pǐngé) - Moral character, integrity. This term focuses specifically on a person's moral and ethical qualities.
• 气质 (qìzhì) - Disposition, temperament, charisma. Describes the overall “aura” or quality a person projects, like being elegant or scholarly.
• 内向 (nèixiàng) - Introverted. A common adjective used to describe a type of 性格.
• 外向 (wàixiàng) - Extroverted. The antonym of 内向.
• 开朗 (kāilǎng) - Cheerful, optimistic. A desirable personality trait.
• 随和 (suíhé) - Easygoing, agreeable. A key trait for promoting social harmony.
• 本性 (běnxìng) - Natural, innate disposition. Refers to the very core of one's nature, often considered unchangeable (`本性难移 - běnxìng nányí`).