Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== réngé: 人格 - Personality, Character, Integrity ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** 人格, renge, Chinese personality, Chinese character, integrity in Chinese, what is renge, 人格 meaning, 人格 vs 性格, moral character China, human dignity Chinese * **Summary:** Discover the deep meaning of **人格 (réngé)**, a core Chinese term that goes beyond the English "personality." Learn how **人格 (réngé)** encompasses not just psychological traits but also a person's moral **character**, **integrity**, and fundamental **dignity**. This guide breaks down its cultural significance, practical usage, and how it differs from the similar word **性格 (xìnggé)**, providing a crucial insight into Chinese values. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** réngé * **Part of Speech:** Noun * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 * **Concise Definition:** The sum of a person's moral qualities, character, and psychological makeup; personality or integrity. * **In a Nutshell:** While often translated as "personality," **人格 (réngé)** is much deeper and carries more weight. It's less about whether you're shy or outgoing, and more about your moral fiber, your integrity, and your dignity as a human being. Think of it as the fundamental quality and "standard" of a person. Having a "good 人格" is one of the highest compliments, implying you are honorable, reliable, and respectable. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **人 (rén):** Person, human, people. This is one of the simplest and most fundamental characters, representing a person. * **格 (gé):** Standard, framework, pattern, or style. This character originally depicted a tree with long branches, implying a pattern or standard. It's used in words like `格子 (gézi)` for "grid" and `合格 (hégé)` for "to meet the standard." * **Combined Meaning:** When you put them together, **人格 (réngé)** literally means "the standard of a person" or "a person's framework." This powerfully illustrates the concept: your **人格** is the underlying moral and ethical framework that defines who you are. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== In Western culture, "personality" is often a descriptive and neutral term. We use tools like the Myers-Briggs test to categorize personality types (e.g., "introvert," "extrovert"), and no type is inherently better than another. **人格 (réngé)**, however, is deeply rooted in a Chinese cultural context that is more prescriptive and moral. It is heavily influenced by Confucian ideals of self-cultivation and becoming a `君子 (jūnzǐ)`, a person of noble character. * **Moral Judgment:** **人格 (réngé)** is not neutral; it's used to judge a person's worth. A "good 人格" (`好的人格`) is about being upright, trustworthy, and having integrity. A "low 人格" (`低下的人格`) is a severe criticism, implying someone is treacherous, dishonorable, and lacks basic human dignity. * **Dignity and Respect:** The term is intrinsically linked to `尊严 (zūnyán)`, or dignity. The phrase `人格尊严 (réngé zūnyán)` refers to a person's fundamental dignity, which is protected by law and social norms. To `侮辱人格 (wǔrǔ réngé)`—to insult someone's character—is a grave offense, far more serious than just hurting their feelings. It's an attack on their very being. This concept reflects a cultural value where one's social standing and reputation are built not just on success or talent, but on a foundation of demonstrable moral character. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== **人格 (réngé)** is used in both formal and informal contexts, but almost always with a serious tone. * **Describing Moral Character:** This is the most common usage. It's used in conversations, job interviews, and evaluations to assess a person's integrity. Praising someone's **人格** is a sign of deep respect. * **Formal and Psychological Context:** In psychology, law, and education, **人格** is the standard term for "personality." You'll see it in phrases like `人格测验 (réngé cèyàn)` for "personality test" or `人格障碍 (réngé zhàng'ài)` for "personality disorder." * **"Two-Faced" or "Split Personality":** The term `双重人格 (shuāngchóng réngé)` literally means "dual personality." While it can refer to the clinical condition, it's more often used metaphorically to describe someone who is two-faced or hypocritical. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 他是一个**人格**高尚的人，从不食言。 * Pinyin: Tā shì yī gè **réngé** gāoshàng de rén, cóngbù shíyán. * English: He is a person of noble character and never goes back on his word. * Analysis: Here, `人格高尚 (réngé gāoshàng)` is high praise, focusing on his integrity and reliability. * **Example 2:** * 他的行为严重侮辱了我的**人格**！ * Pinyin: Tā de xíngwéi yánzhòng wǔrǔ le wǒ de **réngé**! * English: His actions were a grave insult to my character/dignity! * Analysis: This is a very strong accusation. The speaker isn't just saying their feelings were hurt; they are saying their fundamental dignity as a person was attacked. * **Example 3:** * 公司招聘时，非常看重应聘者的**人格**魅力。 * Pinyin: Gōngsī zhāopìn shí, fēicháng kànzhòng yìngpìnzhě de **réngé** mèilì. * English: When the company recruits, it places great importance on the applicant's character and charisma. * Analysis: `人格魅力 (réngé mèilì)` refers to a kind of charisma that comes from having a strong, positive character, not just being witty or charming. * **Example 4:** * 法律保护每个公民的**人格**尊严不受侵犯。 * Pinyin: Fǎlǜ bǎohù měi gè gōngmín de **réngé** zūnyán bù shòu qīnfàn. * English: The law protects every citizen's personal dignity from violation. * Analysis: This shows the formal, legal use of the term, where `人格尊严 (réngé zūnyán)` is a fundamental right. * **Example 5:** * 教育的目的之一是培养学生健全的**人格**。 * Pinyin: Jiàoyù de mùdì zhīyī shì péiyǎng xuéshēng jiànquán de **réngé**. * English: One of the goals of education is to cultivate a sound and healthy character in students. * Analysis: `健全的人格 (jiànquán de réngé)` means a well-rounded, morally and psychologically healthy character. * **Example 6:** * 他在老板面前和同事面前完全是两个人，简直是双重**人格**。 * Pinyin: Tā zài lǎobǎn miànqián hé tóngshì miànqián wánquán shì liǎng gè rén, jiǎnzhí shì shuāngchóng **réngé**. * English: He's a completely different person in front of the boss versus his colleagues; it's like he has a split personality. * Analysis: This is the common metaphorical use of `双重人格 (shuāngchóng réngé)` to mean "two-faced." * **Example 7:** * 通过这件事，我才看清了他真实的**人格**。 * Pinyin: Tōngguò zhè jiàn shì, wǒ cái kànqīng le tā zhēnshí de **réngé**. * English: Only through this incident did I see his true character. * Analysis: This implies that the person's true moral fiber (`人格`) was revealed, and it was likely not what it seemed. * **Example 8:** * 他的**人格**有缺陷，不值得深交。 * Pinyin: Tā de **réngé** yǒu quēxiàn, bù zhídé shēnjiāo. * English: His character is flawed; he's not worth getting too close to. * Analysis: `人格有缺陷 (réngé yǒu quēxiàn)` is a serious judgment, suggesting a fundamental moral or ethical problem. * **Example 9:** * 一个人的人品和**人格**是其立身之本。 * Pinyin: Yī gè rén de rénpǐn hé **réngé** shì qí lìshēn zhī běn. * English: A person's moral conduct and character are the foundation of their standing in the world. * Analysis: This sentence pairs **人格** with `人品 (rénpǐn)`, a closely related term, to emphasize the importance of moral integrity. * **Example 10:** * 医生诊断他患有反社会**人格**障碍。 * Pinyin: Yīshēng zhěnduàn tā huànyǒu fǎnshèhuì **réngé** zhàng'ài. * English: The doctor diagnosed him with antisocial personality disorder. * Analysis: This shows the specific, clinical use of **人格** in psychology, directly translating to "personality" in this context. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== The most common mistake for English speakers is confusing **人格 (réngé)** with **性格 (xìnggé)**. They can both be translated as "personality," but they are not interchangeable. * **人格 (réngé):** Focuses on **moral quality, integrity, and dignity**. It is **prescriptive** (judging good/bad). It answers the question, "Is this a good and honorable person?" * **性格 (xìnggé):** Focuses on **temperament, disposition, and behavioral traits**. It is **descriptive** (neutral). It answers the question, "What is this person like?" (e.g., outgoing, quiet, optimistic). **Example of Incorrect Usage:** * **Incorrect:** 我的**人格**很内向。 (Wǒ de **réngé** hěn nèixiàng.) * **Why it's wrong:** This sounds very strange in Chinese. It's like saying, "My moral integrity is introverted," which makes no sense. You are describing a neutral trait, not your moral fiber. * **Correct:** 我的**性格**很内向。 (Wǒ de **xìnggé** hěn nèixiàng.) - My personality is introverted. **Rule of Thumb:** If you are describing a trait like shy, funny, optimistic, or hot-tempered, use **性格 (xìnggé)**. If you are talking about someone's honor, integrity, dignity, or overall moral worth, use **人格 (réngé)**. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[性格]] (xìnggé) - Temperament, disposition. The descriptive counterpart to **人格**. It's about how you are (e.g., outgoing), not who you are (e.g., honorable). * [[人品]] (rénpǐn) - Moral character. A very common and slightly more colloquial term for judging if someone is a good or bad person, often based on their actions. It's very close to the moral dimension of **人格**. * [[品德]] (pǐndé) - Morality and ethics. A more formal term than `人品`, often used in the context of education and civic virtue. * [[尊严]] (zūnyán) - Dignity, honor. This concept is the bedrock of **人格**. `人格尊严` is a common and powerful collocation. * [[素质]] (sùzhì) - Inner quality, caliber. A very broad term that includes a person's education, manners, and public-mindedness, in addition to their character. * [[个性]] (gèxìng) - Individuality, personal style. Focuses on what makes a person unique and different, rather than their moral standing. * [[气质]] (qìzhì) - Disposition, temperament, or even "aura." It describes the overall impression or vibe someone gives off, which can be a result of both their `性格` and `人格`.