temperament
Definitions
A person's natural disposition and characteristic way of feeling and reacting.
气质，天性，性情（天生的情绪与反应方式）。
A tendency to be moody, excitable, or unpredictable.
（情绪化、易激动的）性子，脾性。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedtemper (mixture, balance) + -ment (result, state). Your temperament is the inner *mixture* of qualities you're born with — your natural emotional blend. Medieval medicine took this literally: temperament was thought to be the proportion of the four bodily 'humors' that set your basic nature.
Root temper still carries 6 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.artistic temperament艺术家气质
- 2.calm temperament沉静的性情
- 3.by temperament就性格而言
- 4.nervous temperament神经质的性子
- 5.even temperament平和的性情
Example Sentences
- 1.
She has a calm temperament and rarely gets upset.
- 2.
The two brothers are completely different in temperament.
- 3.
By temperament he is more of a thinker than a doer.
- 4.
The horse is known for its nervous temperament.
Easily Confused
temperament vs personality vs character — temperament is the innate, biological core you're born with (a placid temperament). personality is the broader pattern of how you come across to others. character carries a moral weight — your values and integrity (a person of good character).