属性 (shǔxìng)

属性 refers to an inherent attribute or property that belongs to something as part of its nature, often used in philosophical, scientific, and technical contexts to describe what something fundamentally is or has.

Meanings

[noun] attribute, property, inherent quality
[noun] (computing) attribute, parameter (of an object or element)

Example Sentences

社会性是人类的基本属性之一。 Shèhuì xìng shì rénlèi de jīběn shǔxìng zhī yī. Sociality is one of the basic attributes of human beings.

物质的物理属性包括质量、体积和密度等。 Wùzhì de wùlǐ shǔxìng bāokuò zhìliàng, tǐjī hé mìdù děng. The physical properties of matter include mass, volume, and density, among others.

新闻媒体的公共服务属性决定了它的社会责任。 Xīnwén méitǐ de gōnggòng fúwù shǔxìng juédìng le tā de shèhuì zérèn. The public service attribute of news media determines its social responsibility.

在数据库设计中，每个字段都有其特定的属性。 Zài shùjùkù shèjì zhōng, měi gè zì duàn dōu yǒu qí tèdìng de shǔxìng. In database design, each field has its specific attributes.

商品的二重属性是价值和使用价值。 Shāngpǐn de èr chóng shǔxìng shì jiàzhí hé shǐyòng jiàzhí. The dual attributes of a commodity are value and use value.

理解一个概念的核心属性有助于准确界定其内涵。 Lǐjiě yīgè gàiniàn de héxīn shǔxìng yǒuzhù yú zhǔnquè jièdìng qí nèihán. Understanding the core attributes of a concept helps to accurately define its connotation.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
基本属性	basic attribute
核心属性	core attribute
物理属性	physical property
社会属性	social attribute
自然属性	natural attribute
属性设置	attribute settings (computing)

Usage Notes

属性 is a more philosophical and technical term than 特征, emphasizing inherent, definitional properties rather than observable distinguishing features. In Chinese Marxist philosophy, 商品的二重属性 (the dual attributes of commodities) is a standard concept. In computing and database contexts, 属性 is the standard translation of "attribute" or "property" in object-oriented programming.

At B2 level, 属性 is important for philosophical analysis, scientific description, and technical writing, particularly in computing and data contexts.

Memory Hook

属 means to belong to, and 性 means nature or quality -- 属性 is the quality that belongs to something by its very nature, like weight belonging to matter: inseparable and defining.