Meaning of 性能
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- function; performance; behavior
How to use 性能
性能 is used for machines, products, and materials, not usually for people. It often appears with words like 好 (hǎo), 高 (gāo), or 稳定 (wěndìng). Example: 这台电脑的性能很好。(Zhè tái diànnǎo de xìngnéng hěn hǎo.) This computer performs very well.
性 (xìng) means nature or property, and 能 (néng) means ability. Put together, 性能 is the built-in ability of a thing, or how well it performs.
Common mistake: Learners sometimes use 性能 for a person's performance at work or on stage, but that is 表现 (biǎoxiàn) or 表演 (biǎoyǎn). Also do not confuse it with 功能 (gōngnéng), which means a feature or function a thing has, while 性能 is how well it works.
性能 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
性 xìng · nature · 8 strokes
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能 néng · can · 10 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 性能.
| 可能 | kěnéng | might (happen); possible |
| 只能 | zhǐ néng | can only; obliged to do sth |
| 能够 | nénggòu | to be capable of; to be able to |
| 才能 | cáinéng | talent; ability |
| 能力 | nénglì | capability; ability |
| 性格 | xìnggé | nature; disposition |
| 功能 | gōngnéng | function; capability |
| 个性 | gèxìng | individuality; personality |
| 性别 | xìngbié | sex; gender |
| 积极性 | jījíxìng | zeal; initiative |
| 能不能 | néng bu néng | |
| 能干 | nénggàn | capable; competent |
Questions about 性能
What does 性能 mean?
性能 (xìngnéng) means "function; performance; behavior" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 性能?
性能 is made of 2 characters: 性 (8 strokes), 能 (10 strokes). That is 18 strokes in total.
Is 性能 an HSK word?
Yes. 性能 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 性能 and 功能?
功能 (gōngnéng) is what something can do, like a phone's camera function. 性能 (xìngnéng) is how well it does it, like the phone's speed or reliability. A phone can have many 功能 but poor 性能.
Can 性能 be used in compound words?
Yes. Common ones include 高性能 (gāo xìngnéng) high performance and 性价比 is a related idea, though it uses 价 for price. You will also see 性能测试 (xìngnéng cèshì) performance test in tech contexts.