'个性' (gè xìng) literally combines '个' (gè), meaning 'individual' or 'each', and '性' (xìng), meaning 'nature' or 'character'. Together, they form the abstract noun 'personality' — the distinctive set of qualities, behaviors, attitudes, and traits that make a person (or sometimes an animal or brand) unique. It emphasizes individuality, personal style, and inherent disposition rather than surface-level traits.

This word is commonly used in psychological, educational, social, and everyday contexts — for example, when praising someone’s confidence ('有个性'), describing cultural differences in self-expression, or discussing how upbringing shapes personality development. Unlike the more clinical term '性格' (xìng gé), which focuses on temperament and emotional tendencies, '个性' highlights uniqueness, originality, and self-assertion — often with positive connotations of authenticity and independence.