The Chinese word 素质 (*sùzhì*) is a compound term formed by combining two characters: 素 (*sù*), which originally means "white, plain, elemental, or inherent," suggesting a foundational or innate quality, and 质 (*zhì*), meaning "substance, material, nature, or quality." Together, they create an abstract concept that literally translates to "inherent quality" or "essential character." Historically rooted in Confucian thought referring to one's raw, unadorned nature, its modern usage has evolved through socio-political discourse to broadly denote a person's comprehensive "quality" or "caliber," encompassing moral integrity, educational attainment, cultural refinement, and behavioral competence, thus forming a holistic assessment of an individual's cultivated inner substance and social suitability.