Chinese–EnglishWith examples

本色

běn sè · ben se/běn shǎi · ben shai

Same in simplified and traditional Chinese

HSK 7–9

Meaning

CC-CEDICT

běn sè 本色

  1. inherent qualities
  2. natural qualities
  3. distinctive character
  4. true qualities

běn shǎi 本色

  1. natural color
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In a conversation

0:20 cartoon

The new table

  1. Dengdeng

    亮亮(liàngliàng)，我们(wǒmen)要(yào)给(gěi)新(xīn)桌子(zhuōzi)上漆(shàngqī)吗(ma)？

    Liangliang, shall we paint the new table?

  2. Liangliang

    不用(bùyòng)，我(wǒ)喜欢(xǐhuan)木头(mùtou)的(de)本色(běnsè)。

    No need. I like the natural look of the wood.

  3. Dengdeng

    可是(kěshì)它(tā)看起来(kànqǐlai)有点(yǒudiǎn)灰(huī)。

    But it looks a bit grey.

  4. Liangliang

    那(nà)是(shì)灰尘(huīchén)，不是(bùshì)本色(běnsè)。

    That is dust, not its natural color.

  5. Dengdeng

    哇(wa)，擦(cā)完(wán)真(zhēn)漂亮(piàoliang)！

    Wow, it is so pretty after wiping!

  6. Liangliang

    对吧(duìba)？这(zhè)就是(jiùshì)木头(mùtou)的(de)本色(běnsè)！

    See? That is the natural color of wood.

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In a sentence

2 examples
01

他(tā)在(zài)困(kùn)难(nan)面(miàn)前(qián)依(yī)然(rán)保(bǎo)持(chí)英(yīng)雄(xióng)本(běn)色(sè)。

He still keeps his heroic true qualities in the face of difficulties.

02

这(zhè)块(kuài)布(bù)料(liào)的(de)本(běn)色(sè)是(shì)浅(qiǎn)灰(huī)色(sè)。

The natural color of this fabric is light gray.

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Definitions adapted from CC-CEDICT, published by MDBG and its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Pinyin display and entry grouping have been adapted.

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