Dictionary🇨🇳 Chinese → 🇺🇸 English
Chinese to English Dictionary
本能
běnnéng
Description
本能是我们生下来就有的能力，不用学习。
"本能" is an ability we are born with and do not need to learn.
比如小猫会抓东西，这就是一种本能。
For example, a kitten catching things is a kind of "本能".
Meanings
本能běnnéng
instinct; natural inborn ability
动物有保护孩子的本能。
Animals have an instinct to protect their young.
本能běnnéng
instinctively; by instinct
看到危险，他本能地往后退。
Seeing danger, he instinctively stepped back.
Related words
Notes
- Etymology
本 (root, original) + 能 (ability), literally 'original ability'.
- Nuance
本能 is inborn and unlearned, while 直觉 (intuition) refers to instant judgment.
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