Meaning
The kanji 性 (せい / shō) is a versatile character with several core meanings that revolve around the inherent qualities or attributes of something or someone. It primarily refers to nature, character, gender, and sex. It can also describe a specific property or disposition.
Looking at the visual components of 性 helps us understand its origins. It is composed of two radicals: 心 (こころ), meaning 'heart' or 'mind', and 生 (せい / しょう), meaning 'life' or 'birth'. When these elements combine, they suggest the 'nature' or 'character' that one is 'born with' or that 'originates from within the heart/mind'.
This kanji represents the fundamental essence or quality of a being or an object. For instance, in terms of gender, it signifies the biological or social attributes one is born with. In terms of personality, it reflects the intrinsic traits of an individual's 'heart' or 'mind'.
性 has 8 strokes and is typically taught in Grade 6 in Japanese elementary schools. This makes it a foundational character for understanding more complex Japanese concepts related to human attributes and properties.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
On'yomi are readings derived from Chinese. For 性, the most common on'yomi are セイ (SEI) and ショウ (SHŌ).
- セイ (SEI)
This is 性's most common reading, especially when it appears in compounds related to gender, nature, characteristics, or properties. N3 learners should prioritize learning this reading.
男性 (dansei) — male, man
女性 (josei) — female, woman
性格 (seikaku) — personality, character
可能性 (kanōsei) — possibility, potentiality
ショウ (SHŌ)
While less common than セイ, ショウ appears in specific compounds, often conveying a nuance of inherent spirit, true nature, or disposition. These tend to be more advanced or specialized terms.
- 根性 (konjō) — guts, spirit, willpower
- 本性 (honshō) — true nature, real character (can also be 本性 - honsei)
- 天性 (tenshō) — natural disposition, inborn (also 天性 - tensei)
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
性 technically has a kun'yomi reading, 性 (saga), meaning 'nature' or 'disposition'. However, it is quite rare in common N3 contexts. It typically appears in more literary or idiomatic expressions, such as 人の性 (hito no saga - human nature). For practical JLPT N3 purposes, 性 is almost exclusively encountered in on'yomi compounds, so focusing on these readings is key for learners at this level.
Common Words & Compounds
To better understand 性, let's look at how it appears in compound words. Here are some essential compounds categorized by theme:
Gender and Sex-Related
- 性別 (seibetsu) — gender, sex (male or female)
- 男性 (dansei) — male, man
- 女性 (josei) — female, woman
- 同性 (dousei) — same sex
- 異性 (isei) — opposite sex
- 性的 (seiteki) — sexual (often used as an adjective, e.g., 性的魅力 - seiteki miryoku, sexual charm)
Nature and Characteristic-Related
- 性格 (seikaku) — personality, character
- 性質 (seishitsu) — nature, property, disposition (e.g., of a material or person)
- 国民性 (kokuminsei) — national character, national trait
- 安全性 (anzen-sei) — safety, security (literally, 'the characteristic of being safe')
- 可能性 (kanōsei) — possibility, potentiality
- 生産性 (seisansei) — productivity
- 積極性 (sekkyokusei) — assertiveness, proactiveness
Example Sentences
彼女は優しい性格です。
Kanojo wa yasashii seikaku desu.
She has a kind personality.
男女の性別は関係ありません。
Danjo no seibetsu wa kankei arimasen.
Gender does not matter.
この薬には副作用の可能性があります。
Kono kusuri ni wa fukusayō no kanōsei ga arimasu.
This medicine might have side effects.
日本人の国民性について学びました。
Nihonjin no kokuminsei ni tsuite manabimashita.
I learned about the national character of Japanese people.
製品の安全性が一番重要です。
Seihin no anzen-sei ga ichiban jūyō desu.
Product safety is the most important factor.
彼は責任感が強い男性です。
Kare wa sekininkan ga tsuyoi dansei desu.
He is a man with a strong sense of responsibility.
職場での生産性を上げるにはどうすればいいですか。
Shokuba de no seisansei o ageru ni wa dō sureba ii desu ka?
How can we increase productivity at the workplace?
彼は積極的な性格なので、すぐに友達ができます。
Kare wa sekkyokuteki na seikaku na node, sugu ni tomodachi ga dekimasu.
He has an active personality, so he makes friends quickly.
その事件の犯人は女性だと思われる。
Sono jiken no hannin wa josei da to omowareru.
The culprit in that incident is believed to be a woman.
動物の本性は人間と違うことがたくさんあります。
Dōbutsu no honshō wa ningen to chigau koto ga takusan arimasu.
Animals often have a true nature that differs greatly from humans.
Memory Tip
To remember 性, think of its components: 心 (heart/mind) and 生 (life/birth). You can imagine that your fundamental "nature" or "character" (性) is something you are "born with" (生) deep within your "heart" (心). Alternatively, visualize how the 'heart' (心) defines a person's 'life' (生), shaping their inherent qualities like gender or personality. This connection between inner essence and life helps define 性.