tiānshēng: 天生 - Innate, Inborn, Natural

• Keywords: tiansheng, 天生, innate in Chinese, inborn in Chinese, natural talent, born with, 天生 meaning, Chinese word for natural, nature versus nurture, 天生丽质, 天才, HSK 4
• Summary: Learn the meaning and usage of a fundamental Chinese word, 天生 (tiānshēng), which translates to “innate,” “inborn,” or “natural.” This page explores how tiānshēng is used to describe everything from a natural talent for music to inherent personality traits. Discover its cultural significance in the “nature versus nurture” debate in China, and learn to use it accurately with over 10 practical example sentences, a breakdown of common mistakes, and a list of related terms. This is your complete guide to understanding a quality someone is “born with.”

• Pinyin (with tone marks): tiānshēng
• Part of Speech: Adjective / Adverb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: Existing or possessed from birth; innate or inborn.
• In a Nutshell: 天生 (tiānshēng) is the Chinese equivalent of saying someone was “born with it.” It describes a quality, talent, or characteristic that is not learned or acquired through effort, but is an intrinsic part of a person's nature. It points to something that comes from “heaven” or “nature” at the moment of birth.

• 天 (tiān): This character's primary meaning is “sky” or “heaven.” In a philosophical context, it can also mean “nature” or the natural order of the universe.
• 生 (shēng): This character means “to be born,” “to give birth,” or “life.”
• When combined, 天生 (tiānshēng) literally means “heaven-born” or “naturally born.” The idea is that the quality was bestowed by a higher power or by nature itself, rather than developed by the individual.

In Chinese culture, the concept of 天生 (tiānshēng) is deeply ingrained and plays a significant role in how people view talent, personality, and even destiny. It forms one half of a fundamental philosophical debate, similar to the Western concept of “nature vs. nurture.”

• Nature (先天/天生) vs. Nurture (后天): The direct counterpart to 天生 is 后天 (hòutiān), which means “acquired” or “post-natal.” While Western culture often champions the “self-made” individual who overcomes their circumstances, Chinese culture places a strong emphasis on acknowledging innate abilities (or lack thereof). It's common to hear someone's success attributed to a mix of 天生 talent and 后天 effort (后天努力, hòutiān nǔlì).
• A Source of Humility and Pride: Acknowledging a talent as 天生 can be a form of humility, suggesting the ability is a gift rather than something to be arrogant about. Conversely, it's a source of great pride. The famous line from the Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai, “天生我才必有用” (tiānshēng wǒ cái bì yǒuyòng) — “I was born with talent that will surely be of use” — reflects a powerful belief in one's inherent value and purpose.
• Beyond Talent: This concept isn't limited to genius-level skills. It's used to explain everyday personality traits (“He's just 天生 shy”), physical attributes (“She has 天生 beauty”), and even romantic compatibility (“They're a 天生 match”). It reflects an acceptance of fundamental, unchangeable aspects of a person.

天生 (tiānshēng) is a very common word used in daily conversation, on social media, and in more formal contexts. It functions as both an adjective and an adverb.

• Describing Talents & Abilities: This is one of its most common uses. It's placed before a noun or verb phrase to indicate a natural gift.
  • e.g., 他是天生的领导者。(Tā shì tiānshēng de lǐngdǎozhě.) - He is a born leader.
• Describing Personality & Character: It's often used to explain why someone behaves a certain way, suggesting it's part of their core nature.
  • e.g., 我妹妹天生乐观。(Wǒ mèimei tiānshēng lèguān.) - My younger sister is naturally optimistic.
• Describing Physical Traits: It can refer to physical features one is born with, especially beauty. The idiom 天生丽质 (tiānshēng lìzhì) specifically means “natural-born beauty.”
• Connotation: The word itself is neutral. Its connotation (positive or negative) depends entirely on the quality it describes.
  • Positive: 天生的艺术家 (tiānshēng de yìshùjiā) - a born artist
  • Negative: 天生胆小 (tiānshēng dǎnxiǎo) - naturally timid

• Example 1:
  • 他天生就是个音乐家，第一次摸钢琴就能弹出旋律。
  • Pinyin: Tā tiānshēng jiùshì ge yīnyuèjiā, dì-yī cì mō gāngqín jiù néng tán chū xuánlǜ.
  • English: He's a born musician; the first time he touched a piano, he could play a melody.
  • Analysis: Here, 天生 emphasizes that his musical ability is an innate gift, not just something he learned.
• Example 2:
  • 我姐姐天生就很乐观，好像没有什么事能让她难过。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ jiějie tiānshēng jiù hěn lèguān, hǎoxiàng méiyǒu shénme shì néng ràng tā nánguò.
  • English: My older sister is naturally very optimistic, it seems nothing can make her sad.
  • Analysis: 天生 is used as an adverb to describe her personality trait as something fundamental to her character.
• Example 3:
  • 他们两个真是天生的一对，兴趣和性格都非常合得来。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen liǎng ge zhēnshì tiānshēng de yí duì, xìngqù hé xìnggé dōu fēicháng dé de lái.
  • English: The two of them are truly a match made in heaven; their interests and personalities are so compatible.
  • Analysis: This common phrase, 天生的一对 (tiānshēng de yí duì), implies that their compatibility is so perfect it must have been destined.
• Example 4:
  • 她天生丽质，就算不化妆也特别漂亮。
  • Pinyin: Tā tiānshēng lìzhì, jiùsuàn bù huàzhuāng yě tèbié piàoliang.
  • English: She is a natural beauty; she's stunning even without makeup.
  • Analysis: This uses the four-character idiom 天生丽质 (tiānshēng lìzhì), a very common and elegant way to compliment someone's inborn beauty.
• Example 5:
  • 我儿子天生就怕黑，晚上必须开着灯睡觉。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ érzi tiānshēng jiù pà hēi, wǎnshang bìxū kāizhe dēng shuìjiào.
  • English: My son has been afraid of the dark since birth; he has to sleep with a light on at night.
  • Analysis: This example shows 天生 used to describe an innate fear or a negative trait.
• Example 6:
  • 有些人天生就跑得快，这是基因决定的。
  • Pinyin: Yǒuxiē rén tiānshēng jiù pǎo de kuài, zhè shì jīyīn juédìng de.
  • English: Some people are naturally fast runners; it's determined by genetics.
  • Analysis: 天生 is used as an adverb modifying the verb phrase “跑得快” (pǎo de kuài - run fast).
• Example 7:
  • 这只猫天生就有一双蓝色的眼睛。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhī māo tiānshēng jiù yǒu yì shuāng lánsè de yǎnjing.
  • English: This cat was born with a pair of blue eyes.
  • Analysis: A straightforward example of using 天生 to describe a physical characteristic present from birth.
• Example 8:
  • “ 天生我才必有用！” (李白)
  • Pinyin: “Tiānshēng wǒ cái bì yǒuyòng!” (Lǐ Bái)
  • English: “Heaven gave me talent, so it must be of use!” (Li Bai)
  • Analysis: A famous, culturally significant quote that embodies a spirit of confidence in one's innate value.
• Example 9:
  • 他天生对数字很敏感，所以数学学得特别好。
  • Pinyin: Tā tiānshēng duì shùzì hěn mǐngǎn, suǒyǐ shùxué xué de tèbié hǎo.
  • English: He has a natural sensitivity to numbers, so he does particularly well in math.
  • Analysis: This shows 天生 describing an innate aptitude or sensitivity towards a specific subject.
• Example 10:
  • 他的成功，三分是天生，七分是后天努力。
  • Pinyin: Tā de chénggōng, sān fēn shì tiānshēng, qī fēn shì hòutiān nǔlì.
  • English: His success is thirty percent innate talent and seventy percent acquired effort.
  • Analysis: This sentence perfectly illustrates the cultural balance between 天生 (nature) and 后天 (nurture).

• 天生 (tiānshēng) vs. 自然 (zìrán): This is a common point of confusion for learners.
  • 天生 (tiānshēng) means “innate” or “from birth.” It applies to qualities of living beings.
  • 自然 (zìrán) means “natural” as in “not artificial” or “the natural world.”
  • Correct: 她的美丽是天生的。(Tā de měilì shì tiānshēng de.) - Her beauty is inborn.
  • Correct: 这片森林很自然。(Zhè piàn sēnlín hěn zìrán.) - This forest is very natural.
  • Incorrect: ~~这片森林很天生。~~ (You cannot say a forest is “inborn.”)
• 天生 (tiānshēng) vs. 后天 (hòutiān): This is not a mistake but a crucial distinction. They are direct opposites. 天生 is what you're born with; 后天 (hòutiān) is what you learn or develop after birth. Forgetting this distinction can lead to misunderstanding the core of many conversations about skill and character in China.
  • Example: 他的幽默感是后天培养的，不是天生的。(Tā de yōumògǎn shì hòutiān péiyǎng de, búshì tiānshēng de.) - His sense of humor was cultivated (acquired), not innate.

• 后天 (hòutiān): The direct antonym of 天生. It means “acquired,” “learned,” or “post-natal,” referring to everything that happens after birth.
• 先天 (xiāntiān): A more formal or medical synonym for 天生. Often used to describe congenital conditions (e.g., 先天性心脏病 - xiāntiān xìng xīnzàngbìng, congenital heart disease).
• 天分 (tiānfèn): Innate talent or gift. It refers specifically to the potential someone is born with. 天生 describes the quality, while 天分 is the quality itself.
• 天才 (tiāncái): A genius. A person who possesses an extraordinary amount of 天分.
• 天性 (tiānxìng): Natural disposition or temperament; one's inherent nature. It's very similar to 天生 but used more as a noun. (e.g., 他的天性就是善良 - His nature is kind.)
• 本性 (běnxìng): Fundamental nature or intrinsic character. Often used in philosophical discussions, like in the phrase “本性难移” (běnxìng nányí), meaning “it's hard to change one's fundamental nature.”
• 天生丽质 (tiānshēng lìzhì): A popular idiom meaning “to be naturally endowed with beauty.”
• 注定 (zhùdìng): To be destined or doomed. Often used with 天生 to describe a fated outcome, like in a romantic context: 天生注定 (tiānshēng zhùdìng) - destined from birth.