sin1 tin1先天

Jyutpingsin1 tin1

Yalesīn tīn

形容詞Rare

Definition

Innate, congenital, or present from the very beginning.

congenital; inborn; present at birth
present from the very start of a situation

neutralpeoplehealth

How it's used

Focuses on qualities or conditions present from the moment of birth or inception. It is frequently contrasted with 後天, which refers to things acquired through environment, education, or experience. While often used for medical or biological traits, it also applies to talents or personality traits that seem to be part of someone's nature from the start.

Examples

keoi5佢sin1先tin1天hou2好cung1聰ming4明，hok6學je5嘢dak6特bit6別faai3快。

He is naturally very smart and learns things especially fast.

ni1呢go3個beng6病hai6係sin1先tin1天ding6定hai6係hau6後tin1天zou6造sing4成㗎？

Is this illness congenital or acquired later?

Common phrases

sin1先tin1天bat1不zuk1足

congenitally deficient

sin1先tin1天tiu4條gin2件

innate conditions

Common mistake

Avoid using it to describe things that are simply 'traditional' or 'old-fashioned', as it strictly refers to the origin of a trait or condition rather than the age of an object or custom.