性质 xìngzhì nature
nature; characteristic
How to remember 性质: 性 nature + 质 essence = nature.
Characters
How it is used
- The inherent nature/character of a thing or matter - 问题的性质很严重 (wèntí de xìngzhì hěn yánzhòng) the nature of the problem is serious.
- Abstract 'what kind of thing it fundamentally is', used for events, substances, organizations. Distinguish from 特点 (tèdiǎn, notable features) and 性格 (xìnggé, a person's personality).
- 化学性质 (chemical properties), 工作性质 (the nature of the job) are typical.