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德性

déxing
noun

Meanings

  1. 1 moral integrity; virtue
  2. 2 a disgusting or contemptible manner; 'look at the state of you'

Examples

HSK 5
瞧你那德性！
Qiáo nǐ nà déxing!
Just look at the state of you!
HSK 6
他那副德性真让人受不了。
Tā nà fù déxing zhēn ràng rén shòubuliǎo.
His whole attitude is just unbearable.
HSK 7-9
君子重德性。
Jūnzǐ zhòng déxìng.
A gentleman values moral integrity.

Tips

mistakes
Two readings, two meanings. Formal 德性 (déxìng) = 'moral character' - used in classical/philosophical writing. Colloquial 德性 (déxing, neutral tone) = 'pathetic/disgusting manner' - almost always sarcastic or mocking. Don't mix them up: praising someone's 德性 with the colloquial tone reads as an insult.
register
The colloquial sense is often paired with 那副 (nà fù, 'that look of'): 那副德性 = 'that pathetic look.' Common in northern dialect speech.

Stroke Order

德 dé
性 xìng