sing3 zat1性質性质

Jyutpingsing3 zat1

Yalesing jāt

名詞Common

Definition

Nature, characteristic, property, or attribute of a thing.

neutraldescriptions

How it's used

Refers to the inherent characteristics or fundamental quality of an object, situation, or task. While often used in formal or academic contexts to describe abstract concepts, it remains perfectly acceptable in everyday conversation when discussing the nature of work or a specific problem. It carries a slightly more analytical tone than simply using 特點 or 特徵.

Examples

le1呢fan2份gung1工zok3作sing3性zat1質hou2好dak6特bit6別。

The nature of this job is very unique.

nei5你zi1知m4唔zi1知nei4呢joeng6樣je5嘢ge3嘅sing3性zat1質hai6係dim2點？

Do you know what the nature of this thing is like?

Common phrases

gung1工zok3作sing3性zat1質

nature of work

sing3性zat1質ok3惡lyut6劣

serious nature (of an incident)

Common mistake

Avoid using this to describe a person's personality, as 性格 is the standard term for human character traits. Using 性質 for a person sounds like you are treating them as a scientific specimen or an object.