innate

Definitions

in- here means "in, within" (not the negative in-), + nat (born) = "born within you." An innate trait was inside you from your first day, part of how you were made — the opposite of something acquired or trained later. Watch the prefix: this in- is the locational one, not the "not" of invisible.

Common Collocations

• 1.innate ability与生俱来的能力
• 2.innate talent天生的天赋
• 3.innate sense天生的感觉
• 4.innate quality天生的品质
• 5.innate desire本能的渴望

Example Sentences

• 1.

  Some people seem to have an innate sense of rhythm.

• 2.

  Curiosity is innate in children; school sometimes dulls it.

• 3.

  Her innate kindness made her impossible to dislike.

Easily Confused

innate vs inherent vs inborn. innate is about a living thing born with a trait (innate talent). inherent is broader — a built-in feature of anything, including abstract things (risk inherent in the plan). inborn is a near-synonym of innate but feels slightly more biological/medical.