How to use 性
Word / phrase + 性
The suffix 性 builds expressions about a property, characteristic, tendency, or nature. Some function like abstract nouns in English, while others describe a type of rule, event, or quality. English endings such as ness, ity, or ic may provide useful comparisons, but no single ending captures every use. The meaning depends on the established compound and its role in the sentence.
Attach 性 only where natural Chinese vocabulary supports the formation. A resulting expression can name a property or modify another noun, with the grammar determined by the complete phrase. Learn common combinations together with their usual predicates. This is a productive word-building pattern, but it is not a reliable mechanical method for translating every English abstract noun.
Examples with pinyin and English
我们需要检查这个计划的可行性。
We need to check this plan's feasibility.
性 forms a noun naming a property of the plan.
下雨的可能性很大。
There is a strong possibility of rain.
可能性 names the possibility being evaluated.
这是一项临时性的安排。
This is a temporary arrangement.
The 性 expression modifies a noun with 的.
What to remember
- Learn established 性 compounds in context.
- Identify whether the phrase names or describes a property.
- Avoid forming new compounds solely from an English suffix.
Practise the pattern
Use one example as a model. Change the people, objects or situation, keeping the grammar pattern in the same order. Read the explanation again to check how your sentence uses the construction.
Look up the grammar words
Source and editorial notes
Explanation and examples written for Laowai using the grammar curriculum as a topic reference. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
Difficulty labels describe the level of the explanation; they are not official HSK placement. Send a correction with this page’s URL.