先天

xiāntiān

adjective HSK 7-9 #21,674

Meanings

Before birth - innate.

这是先天的还是后天的？

Zhè shì xiāntiān de háishi hòutiān de?

Is this innate or acquired?

他有先天性心脏病。

Tā yǒu xiāntiānxìngxīnzàngbìng.

He has a congenital heart disease.

先天条件很重要，但后天努力更重要。

Xiāntiān tiáojiàn hěn zhòngyào, dàn hòutiān nǔlì gèng zhòngyào.

Innate conditions are important, but acquired effort matters more.

usage

先天 is always contrasted with 后天 (acquired/postnatal). 先天 = born with it; 后天 = developed after birth. Also: 先天不足 (innately deficient).

先 xiān

天 tiān