The Chinese word 性质 (xìngzhì), meaning "nature", "character", or "property", is a compound term formed through the combination of two meaningful characters: 性 (xìng), which denotes "inherent nature", "character", or "essence" (often related to the innate qualities of something or someone), and 质 (zhì), which signifies "substance", "matter", "quality", or "intrinsic character". Together, they create a cohesive concept where 性 emphasizes the essential, often abstract, aspect of a thing's identity, while 质 grounds it in concrete, substantive attributes; thus, the compound word 性质 holistically refers to the fundamental and defining characteristics that constitute the very nature of an entity.