xìngnéng: 性能 - Performance, Capability, Function

• Keywords: xingneng, 性能, Chinese performance, product performance, computer performance, car performance, job performance, 性, 能, Chinese tech terms, HSK 5
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 性能 (xìngnéng), which means “performance” or “capability.” This page provides a deep dive for English speakers on how to use `性能` correctly, primarily when discussing the technical performance of products like phones, computers, and cars. We'll explore its character origins, cultural significance in modern tech-savvy China, and contrast it with other Chinese words like `表现 (biǎoxiàn)` to avoid common mistakes. With over 10 practical example sentences, this guide will help you master a crucial term for everyday conversation and understanding Chinese product reviews.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xìngnéng
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: The inherent capabilities and operational effectiveness of a machine, system, or product.
• In a Nutshell: `性能` is your go-to word for “performance,” but specifically in a technical or mechanical sense. It's not about an actor's performance on stage, but rather about how well a machine or device does its job. Think of it as the “report card” for a product's speed, power, efficiency, and overall capability. If you're talking about specs, gadgets, or anything with an engine or a processor, you're talking about its `性能`.

• 性 (xìng): This character's core meaning is “nature,” “property,” or “inherent quality.” It's often used as a suffix to turn a word into a concept, similar to “-ness” or “-ity” in English (e.g., `可能性 kěnéng xìng` - possibility).
• 能 (néng): This character means “ability,” “capability,” or “can.” It points to potential and power.
• Combined Meaning: When you put them together, `性能 (xìngnéng)` literally translates to “the nature of ability” or “inherent capability.” This beautifully captures the idea of a product's built-in, measurable performance characteristics. It's not just what it *can* do, but the very *nature* of its ability to do it.

In a country that has experienced explosive technological growth, `性能` has become a cornerstone of modern consumer culture. Walk into any electronics market in China or browse websites like Taobao and JD.com, and you'll be bombarded with discussions about `性能`. The term reflects a deeply pragmatic mindset. Chinese consumers are often highly informed about technical specifications (`参数 cānshù`) and a product's `性能` is a primary factor in their purchasing decisions. This has given rise to the ubiquitous concept of `性价比 (xìngjiàbǐ)`, or the “performance-to-price ratio.” Getting a product with high `性能` for a low price is a major goal for shoppers. Comparison to Western Culture: While “performance” is a broad term in English, `性能` is much more specific. In English, we might say, “She gave a great performance at the meeting.” A direct translation using `性能` would sound bizarre, as if you were evaluating a colleague like a piece of hardware. The Chinese equivalent for human performance is `表现 (biǎoxiàn)`. This distinction highlights how `性能` is almost exclusively reserved for the objective, measurable world of objects and systems, reflecting a clear separation between the human and the mechanical.

`性能` is used constantly in a variety of modern contexts, almost always referring to non-human things.

• Technology and Electronics: This is the most common usage. It describes the speed, power, and responsiveness of smartphones, laptops, gaming consoles, and cameras. A “high-performance computer” is a `高性能电脑 (gāo xìngnéng diànnǎo)`.
• Automotive: `性能` is used to discuss a car's engine power, acceleration, handling, and fuel efficiency. Car enthusiasts will often debate the `性能` of different models.
• Software and Systems: You can talk about the `性能` of an app, an operating system, or a network. This usually refers to its speed, stability, and lack of lag. An update might “optimize performance” (`优化性能 yōuhuà xìngnéng`).
• Appliances and Equipment: From air conditioners to power tools, any machine's effectiveness and efficiency can be described by its `性能`.

• Example 1:
  • 这款手机的性能非常好，运行速度很快。
  • Pinyin: Zhè kuǎn shǒujī de xìngnéng fēicháng hǎo, yùnxíng sùdù hěn kuài.
  • English: This phone's performance is excellent; it runs very fast.
  • Analysis: A classic and very common example of evaluating a consumer electronic device.
• Example 2:
  • 我买电脑的时候，最看重的是性能和价格。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ mǎi diànnǎo de shíhou, zuì kànzhòng de shì xìngnéng hé jiàgé.
  • English: When I buy a computer, what I value most are performance and price.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly links `性能` to consumer decisions, touching upon the concept of `性价比 (xìngjiàbǐ)`.
• Example 3:
  • 为了提高游戏性能，他换了一张新的显卡。
  • Pinyin: Wèile tígāo yóuxì xìngnéng, tā huànle yī zhāng xīn de xiǎnkǎ.
  • English: In order to improve gaming performance, he swapped in a new graphics card.
  • Analysis: This shows a specific action taken to improve `性能`.
• Example 4:
  • 这辆跑车的安全性能和操控性能都很出色。
  • Pinyin: Zhè liàng pǎochē de ānquán xìngnéng hé cāokòng xìngnéng dōu hěn chūsè.
  • English: This sports car's safety performance and handling performance are both outstanding.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates how `性能` can be combined with other nouns (like `安全` safety or `操控` handling) to refer to specific aspects of performance.
• Example 5:
  • 这台服务器的性能能满足我们公司的需求吗？
  • Pinyin: Zhè tái fúwùqì de xìngnéng néng mǎnzú wǒmen gōngsī de xūqiú ma?
  • English: Can this server's performance meet our company's needs?
  • Analysis: Here, `性能` is used in a business/IT context, referring to infrastructure.
• Example 6:
  • 虽然设计很漂亮，但这台笔记本电脑的性能太差了。
  • Pinyin: Suīrán shèjì hěn piàoliang, dàn zhè tái bǐjìběn diànnǎo de xìngnéng tài chà le.
  • English: Although the design is beautiful, this laptop's performance is too poor.
  • Analysis: This sentence contrasts aesthetics with `性能`, highlighting that they are separate qualities.
• Example 7:
  • 软件的最新更新主要是性能优化。
  • Pinyin: Ruǎnjiàn de zuìxīn gēngxīn zhǔyào shi xìngnéng yōuhuà.
  • English: The software's latest update is mainly performance optimization.
  • Analysis: `性能优化 (xìngnéng yōuhuà)` is a very common technical phrase.
• Example 8:
  • 我们需要对新系统进行性能测试。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào duì xīn xìtǒng jìnxíng xìngnéng cèshì.
  • English: We need to conduct performance testing on the new system.
  • Analysis: `性能测试 (xìngnéng cèshì)` is another key technical term.
• Example 9:
  • 低温会影响电池的性能。
  • Pinyin: Dīwēn huì yǐngxiǎng diànchí de xìngnéng.
  • English: Low temperatures will affect the battery's performance.
  • Analysis: This shows how external factors can influence a device's `性能`.
• Example 10:
  • 这款吸尘器的性能比旧款提升了百分之三十。
  • Pinyin: Zhè kuǎn xīchénqì de xìngnéng bǐ jiù kuǎn tíshēngle bǎifēnzhī sānshí.
  • English: This vacuum cleaner's performance has improved by 30% compared to the old model.
  • Analysis: This illustrates how `性能` is often discussed in quantifiable, measurable terms.

The most significant pitfall for English speakers is using `性能` too broadly, like the English word “performance.”

• Mistake 1: Describing Human Actions.
  • Incorrect: 那个演员的性能很棒。(Nàge yǎnyuán de xìngnéng hěn bàng.) - This sounds like you are analyzing the actor as a robot.
  • Correct: 那个演员的表演很棒。(Nàge yǎnyuán de biǎoyǎn hěn bàng.) - Use `表演 (biǎoyǎn)` for an artistic performance (acting, singing, dancing).
• Mistake 2: Describing Job/Academic Performance.
  • Incorrect: 他在公司的性能很好。(Tā zài gōngsī de xìngnéng hěn hǎo.) - Again, this is dehumanizing.
  • Correct: 他在公司的表现很好。(Tā zài gōngsī de biǎoxiàn hěn hǎo.) - Use `表现 (biǎoxiàn)` for general behavior, conduct, or performance in a role (work, school).

In short, remember this rule: If it has a processor, an engine, or is a type of machine/system, use `性能`. If it's a person, use `表现` (for work/behavior) or `表演` (for the arts).

• 表现 (biǎoxiàn) - Performance or behavior, specifically for people. This is the most important term to distinguish from `性能`.
• 功能 (gōngnéng) - Function or feature. A product has many `功能`; its `性能` is how well those functions work.
• 效率 (xiàolǜ) - Efficiency. High `性能` often results in high `效率`.
• 质量 (zhìliàng) - Quality (especially build quality, reliability). A device can have high `性能` but poor `质量` (e.g., powerful but breaks easily).
• 性价比 (xìngjiàbǐ) - Performance-to-price ratio. A crucial concept in Chinese consumerism, where `性` is short for `性能`.
• 配置 (pèizhì) - Configuration, specs. The technical `配置` of a device determines its `性能`.
• 参数 (cānshù) - Parameters. The specific numbers and data (e.g., GHz, GB of RAM) that define a product's `配置` and `性能`.
• 优化 (yōuhuà) - To optimize. A common verb used with `性能`, e.g., “to optimize performance.”
• 表演 (biǎoyǎn) - A performance or show (artistic). The correct term for a concert, play, etc.
• 能力 (nénglì) - Ability, capability. A more general term for ability that can be used for both people and things, but `性能` is more specific to technical performance.