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B2 adjective #6,000 most common 8 min read

先天的

sententeki Top 6,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 先天的 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 先天的 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't really need to use the word '先天的' (sententeki). It is too difficult. Instead, you should use the simple word '生まれつき' (umarekitsuki), which means 'from birth.' For example, if you want to say 'I have blue eyes from birth,' you say '生まれつき目が青いです.' '先天的' is a word you will see much later in your studies. It is used in science and big books. For now, just remember that some things come from our parents and some things we learn later. '先天的' is the 'from parents/birth' part. If you see this word in a sentence, think: 'This person was born with this.' It is a very formal way to say 'natural' or 'inborn.' You will mostly see it in medical forms or news about science. Don't worry about using it in your daily speaking yet! Just focus on 'umarekitsuki' for now, but keep 'sententeki' in the back of your mind as the 'adult version' of that word.

At the A2 level, you might start seeing '先天的' (sententeki) in simple health articles or news snippets. It is a 'Na-adjective,' which means you use it like 'kirei-na.' You add 'na' before a noun. For example: '先天的な才能' (innate talent). The opposite word is '後天的' (kōtenteki), which means things you learn after you are born, like speaking English or driving a car. You should know that '先天的' is a formal word. When you talk to your friends, you should still use '生まれつき.' But when you read a newspaper or listen to a serious speech, you will hear '先天的.' It is made of three kanji: 'Sen' (before), 'Ten' (heaven/nature), and 'Teki' (target/adjective). It means 'related to the nature you had before/at birth.' Try to recognize it when you see it in a list of medical conditions or talents.

By B1, you should be able to understand '先天的' in various contexts. It is frequently used in the 'Nature vs. Nurture' debate, which is a common topic in Japanese proficiency exams. You will see it used to describe '先天的疾患' (congenital diseases) or '先天的能力' (innate abilities). At this level, you should understand the nuance: '先天的' is objective and scientific. It doesn't just mean 'natural'; it specifically means 'present from the moment of birth.' You should also be comfortable with the adverbial form '先天的に' (sententeki-ni). For example: '彼は先天的に耳が聞こえない' (He has been deaf since birth). This is more formal than saying '生まれつき耳が聞こえない.' You should start using this word in your writing when you want to sound more professional or academic, especially when discussing biology, psychology, or sociology.

At B2, you are expected to use '先天的' (sententeki) correctly in formal essays and discussions. This is the level where the word really belongs. You should be able to contrast it with '後天的' (acquired) to build complex arguments. For instance, you might discuss whether leadership is '先天的' (innate) or can be '後天的' (learned/acquired). You should also recognize its use in legal and philosophical contexts, such as '先天的権利' (innate/inalienable rights). Understanding the subtle difference between '先天的' and '遺伝的' (genetic) is also important; '先天的' is broader because it includes anything that happened in the womb, not just inherited DNA. In your speaking, you can use this word to add precision to your opinions during debates or formal presentations. It shows that you have a command of 'kango' (Sino-Japanese words) and can handle abstract concepts.

At the C1 level, your understanding of '先天的' (sententeki) should be deep and nuanced. You should be able to use it in highly specialized fields like medicine, genetics, and philosophy without hesitation. You might encounter it in discussions about '先天的アイデア' (innate ideas/a priori knowledge) in Western philosophy translated into Japanese. You should also be aware of how the word is used in social justice contexts—for example, discussing how '先天的' characteristics should not lead to discrimination. Your usage should be flawless, knowing when to choose '先天的' over '固有の' (inherent) or '内在的な' (intrinsic). You should also be able to interpret the tone of a text based on its use; a text that uses '先天的' heavily might be arguing for biological determinism, and as a C1 learner, you should be able to critique that stance in Japanese.

At the C2 level, '先天的' (sententeki) is a tool for precise ontological and scientific discourse. You will use it to discuss the very essence of human nature, the limits of genetic modification, and the foundational principles of ethics. You should be able to navigate complex academic papers where '先天的' is used to define the parameters of a study. You might also use it in creative writing or high-level journalism to create a specific, intellectual atmosphere. At this level, you are not just using the word; you are playing with its implications. For example, you might write about how modern technology is making the line between '先天的' (innate) and '後天的' (augmented/acquired) increasingly blurry. Your command of the word and its surrounding vocabulary (like 遺伝子組み換え, 形質, 賦与) should be indistinguishable from a native speaker with a university education.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

先天的 in 30 Seconds

Refers to innate or congenital traits present from birth, contrasting with acquired ones.
A formal Na-adjective used extensively in medical, scientific, and philosophical contexts.
Often paired with the antonym '後天的' (kōtenteki) to discuss nature versus nurture.
Commonly modifies nouns like talent (才能), disease (疾患), and characteristics (特性).

The Japanese term 先天的 (せんてんてき - sententeki) is a formal Na-adjective used to describe qualities, characteristics, or medical conditions that are present from birth. In the context of the eternal 'Nature vs. Nurture' debate, this word represents the 'Nature' side. It implies that something is hard-wired into an individual's DNA or biological makeup rather than being acquired through experience, education, or environmental influence. When you use this word, you are making a definitive statement about the origin of a trait, suggesting it is an intrinsic part of a person's being from the moment they enter the world.

Etymology Breakdown: The word consists of three kanji: 先 (sen - before/previous), 天 (ten - heaven/nature), and 的 (teki - adjective marker). Together, they literally translate to 'in the state of being before heaven,' or more accurately, 'by the nature one was born with.'
Scientific Context: In medical and biological discussions, it specifically refers to congenital conditions (先天的疾患 - sententeki shikkan). It is used to distinguish genetic or womb-developed issues from those acquired later in life (後天的 - kōtenteki).

彼は先天的な音楽の才能に恵まれている。
(He is blessed with an innate talent for music.)

Beyond biology, the word is frequently used in psychology and philosophy. When discussing human behavior, scholars often ask if certain personality traits, such as introversion or aggression, are sententeki. This word carries a weight of permanence; it suggests that the trait is not easily changed because it is rooted in the very foundation of the individual. In everyday conversation, it might be used to describe someone who is 'naturally' good at something without seemingly having to try, though this can sometimes sound slightly deterministic or clinical.

その特性が先天的なものか後天的なものかを判断するのは難しい。
(It is difficult to determine whether that characteristic is innate or acquired.)

Register & Tone: This word sits comfortably in the B2-C1 range of Japanese proficiency. It is a 'kango' (Sino-Japanese word), making it sound more intellectual and formal than its 'wago' (native Japanese) counterparts. Use it in essays, news reports, and doctor's consultations.

この病気は先天的な要因によって引き起こされる。
(This disease is caused by congenital factors.)

Using 先天的 effectively requires understanding its grammatical behavior as a Na-adjective. Most commonly, it precedes a noun using the particle な (na) or modifies a verb/adjective using the particle に (ni). Because it is a formal word, it is often paired with other formal vocabulary and structures.

Modifying Nouns (先天的＋な＋Noun): This is the most frequent usage. Common nouns include 才能 (talent), 疾患 (disease), 特性 (characteristic), and 障害 (disability). For example: '先天的な欠陥' (a congenital defect).
Adverbial Use (先天的＋に): When you want to describe how someone possesses a trait, use 'ni'. For example: '彼は先天的に耳が不自由だ' (He has been hearing impaired since birth/congenitally).

知能は先天的なものか、それとも環境によるものか。
(Is intelligence something innate, or is it due to the environment?)

In debate and academic writing, you will often see the structure '先天的かつ...' (innate and...) to combine it with other adjectives. It is also frequently contrasted with its antonym 後天的 (kōtenteki - acquired). A common pattern is '先天的というよりは、むしろ後天的な...' (rather than being innate, it is acquired...). This shows a sophisticated level of nuance in your Japanese.

色彩感覚は先天的に備わっている場合が多い。
(A sense of color is often innately possessed.)

Sentence Endings: In professional reports: '〜は先天的であると推測される' (It is presumed that ... is innate). The 'de aru' ending adds a layer of objective authority.

科学者はその行動の先天的な根拠を探している。
(Scientists are looking for the innate basis of that behavior.)

You are most likely to encounter 先天的 in environments where biology, psychology, or sociology are discussed. It is a staple of Japanese news documentaries (especially those focusing on medical breakthroughs or child development) and academic lectures. If you watch NHK documentaries or read high-level news outlets like the Asahi Shimbun or Nikkei, you will see this word used to describe genetic research, the origins of genius, or congenital health issues.

Medical Consultations: In a hospital setting, a doctor might explain a condition using this term: 'これは先天的（せんてんてき）な心臓の病気です' (This is a congenital heart condition). It helps clarify that the condition wasn't caused by lifestyle choices.
Educational Contexts: Teachers or psychologists might use it when discussing a student's '先天的（せんてんてき）な能力' (innate ability) versus the results of their '努力' (effort).

最新の研究では、性格の半分は先天的なものだと言われている。
(Latest research says that half of personality is innate.)

In popular media, you'll hear it in detective dramas or sci-fi anime when characters discuss 'gifted' individuals or genetic engineering. For example, a villain might claim their superiority is 'sententeki' (innate), while the hero argues that what we 'become' (acquired/kōtenteki) is what truly matters. This contrast provides a rich thematic ground for Japanese storytelling.

彼は先天的なリーダーシップを持っている。
(He has innate leadership qualities.)

Business and Sports: In sports commentary, you might hear '先天的（せんてんてき）な体格' (innate physique) to describe an athlete who was born with a physical advantage, like great height or fast-twitch muscles.

遺伝子操作によって先天的な病気を防ぐ。
(Prevent congenital diseases through genetic manipulation.)

While 先天的 is a powerful word, learners often confuse it with other terms related to 'nature' or 'birth.' Avoiding these pitfalls will make your Japanese sound much more natural and precise.

Confusing with 天然 (Tennen): '天然' (tennen) means 'natural' in the sense of 'unprocessed' (like natural gas) or 'airheaded' (a common slang for a ditzy person). You cannot use '先天的' to describe 'natural water' or a 'natural personality' in a casual way. '先天的' is strictly about the origin of a trait at birth.
Confusing with 自然 (Shizen): '自然' (shizen) refers to the environment, the outdoors, or doing something 'naturally/spontaneously.' While '先天的' involves nature in a biological sense, '自然' is much broader. You wouldn't say '先天的豊かな場所' for a place rich in nature; you must use '自然'.

❌ 彼は先天的なボケだ。
✅ 彼は天然ボケだ。
(He is naturally ditzy.)

Another common error is using '先天的' for things that are simply 'obvious' or 'automatic.' For example, the instinct to blink is better described as '本能的' (honnōteki - instinctive) rather than '先天的', although they are related. '先天的' is best reserved for traits that vary between individuals (like talent or disease) or for philosophical discussions about the human condition.

❌ この水は先天的だ。
✅ この水は天然だ。
(This water is natural/spring water.)

Over-reliance on 'Genetics': While '遺伝的' (identeki - genetic) and '先天的' are similar, they aren't identical. A condition can be '先天的' (present at birth) but not '遺伝的' (inherited from parents), such as a condition caused by the mother's environment during pregnancy. Be careful not to use them interchangeably in medical contexts.

❌ 彼は先天的な嘘つきだ。
✅ 彼は根っからの嘘つきだ。
(He is a born liar.)

To truly master 先天的, you should understand how it compares to similar words. Choosing the right one depends on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey.

生まれつき (Umarekitsuki): Meaning: By birth / from birth.
Usage: This is the daily, conversational equivalent. Use this with friends and family. '生まれつき目が青い' (Blue eyes from birth).
遺伝的 (Identeki): Meaning: Genetic / Hereditary.
Usage: Specific to DNA and inheritance. A condition can be 'sententeki' (present at birth) but not 'identeki' (not inherited). Use this when discussing biology specifically.
固有の (Koyū no): Meaning: Inherent / Characteristic.
Usage: Refers to something unique to a specific person, group, or object. It doesn't necessarily mean 'from birth,' but rather 'essential to the nature of.'

この才能は先天的なものというより、天賦の才と言える。
(Rather than just being innate, this talent can be called a 'gift from heaven' [tenpu no sai].)

Another high-level alternative is 天賦の (tenpu no), which means 'heaven-sent' or 'gifted.' This has a more positive, almost spiritual connotation compared to the clinical 'sententeki.' If you are praising a genius, '天賦の才能' (tenpu no sainō) is much more complimentary.

人間には先天的な権利がある。
(Humans have inalienable/innate rights.)

内在的な (Naizaiteki na): Meaning: Intrinsic / Internal.
Usage: Used in philosophy or systemic analysis to describe something contained within. It overlaps with 'sententeki' when discussing the 'internal' nature of a person.

それは先天的な本能に基づいている。
(That is based on an innate instinct.)

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"本疾患は先天的要因によるものと推測されます。"

Neutral

"才能は先天的だと思いますか？"

Informal

"あの子の才能、先天的だよね。"

Child friendly

"生まれたときから持っている力のことだよ。"

Slang

"スペックが先天的すぎる。"

Fun Fact

The 'Ten' in this word refers to 'Ten-nen' (nature), which in ancient East Asian philosophy was seen as the ultimate source of one's being, separate from human effort.

Pronunciation Guide

UK sen-ten-te-ki

US sen-ten-te-ki

Japanese does not have stress accent. It has pitch accent. In 'sententeki', the pitch typically stays relatively flat or slightly rises on 'ten'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Kanji are common but the concept is academic.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct use of 'na' and 'ni' particles.

Speaking 3/5

Easily replaced by 'umarekitsuki' in speech.

Listening 4/5

Often used in fast-paced news or lectures.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

生まれつき才能病気自然反対

Learn Next

後天的遺伝子疾患資質普遍的

Advanced

形而上学存在論決定論ア・プリオリ賦与

Grammar to Know

Na-Adjective Modification

先天的な才能

Adverbial Modification with 'ni'

先天的に備わっている

Contrastive 'wa' with 'ka'

先天的か、後天的か

Formal sentence ending 'de aru'

それは先天的である。

Using 'mono' for abstract things

先天的なものだ。

Examples by Level

彼は生まれつき足が速いです。

He is naturally (from birth) fast.

A1 uses 'umarekitsuki' instead of 'sententeki'.

これは生まれつきの病気です。

This is a sickness from birth.

Simple 'no' connects the noun.

彼女は生まれつき音楽が好きです。

She has liked music since she was born.

Describes a long-term state.

私の目は生まれつき茶色です。

My eyes are brown from birth.

Physical traits.

彼は生まれつきの天才です。

He is a natural-born genius.

Common phrase for talent.

それは生まれつき持っている力です。

That is a power you have from birth.

Relative clause.

生まれつきの才能はすごいです。

Innate talent is amazing.

Subject of the sentence.

私は生まれつき体が弱いです。

I have been physically weak since birth.

Describing health.

先天的（せんてんてき）な才能があります。

There is innate talent.

Na-adjective + noun.

それは先天的（せんてんてき）なものです。

That is something innate.

Ending with 'mono desu'.

彼は先天的（せんてんてき）に耳が不自由です。

He is hearing impaired from birth.

Adverbial 'ni' form.

先天的（せんてんてき）な病気について調べます。

I will research congenital diseases.

Formal topic.

この犬は先天的（せんてんてき）に鼻が良い。

This dog has an innate good sense of smell.

Applying to animals.

性格は先天的（せんてんてき）なものですか？

Is personality something innate?

Question form.

先天的（せんてんてき）な特徴（とくちょう）を書きなさい。

Please write the innate characteristics.

Imperative/Instructional.

それは先天的（せんてんてき）な要因（よういん）です。

That is an innate factor.

Abstract noun modification.

先天的（せんてんてき）な欠陥（けっかん）が見つかった。

A congenital defect was found.

Passive voice 'mitsukatta'.

彼の数学の能力は先天的（せんてんてき）なものだ。

His math ability is something innate.

Assertive 'da' ending.

先天的（せんてんてき）か後天的（こうてんてき）かが議論されている。

Whether it is innate or acquired is being debated.

Contrastive pair.

この特性（とくせい）は先天的（せんてんてき）に備わっている。

This characteristic is innately possessed.

Using 'sonawatte iru'.

先天的（せんてんてき）な障がいを持つ人々を支援する。

Support people with congenital disabilities.

Social context.

科学者は先天的（せんてんてき）な行動パターンを研究した。

Scientists studied innate behavior patterns.

Academic context.

それは先天的（せんてんてき）なもので、変えられない。

It is innate and cannot be changed.

Potential negative 'kaerarenai'.

教育は先天的（せんてんてき）な能力を引き出す。

Education brings out innate abilities.

Positive interaction.

先天的（せんてんてき）な疾患（しっかん）に対する治療法を開発する。

Develop treatments for congenital diseases.

Complex noun phrases.

知能の大部分は先天的（せんてんてき）な要因で決まるという説がある。

There is a theory that intelligence is largely determined by innate factors.

Reporting a theory.

彼は先天的（せんてんてき）なリーダーとしての資質（ししつ）を備えている。

He possesses the qualities of an innate leader.

Using 'shishitsu' (qualities).

先天的（せんてんてき）な性質（せいしつ）と環境の影響を切り離すことは難しい。

It is difficult to separate innate nature from environmental influence.

Complex subject with 'to'.

その症状は先天的（せんてんてき）な異常（いじょう）によるものと判明した。

It was determined that the symptoms were due to a congenital abnormality.

Formal 'hanmei shita'.

先天的（せんてんてき）な盲目のピアニストが素晴らしい演奏をした。

A pianist who has been blind since birth gave a wonderful performance.

Specific noun modification.

道徳観は先天的（せんてんてき）なものか、社会的に学ばれるものか。

Is the sense of morality innate or socially learned?

Philosophical inquiry.

この権利は人間に先天的（せんてんてき）に賦与（ふよ）されている。

This right is innately bestowed upon humans.

High-level vocabulary 'fuyo'.

カントは、先天的（せんてんてき）な認識（にんしき）の枠組みについて論じた。

Kant discussed the innate framework of perception.

Philosophy context.

遺伝子診断により、先天的（せんてんてき）なリスクを早期に把握できる。

Genetic diagnosis allows for the early identification of innate risks.

Technical medical context.

その行動は、学習によるものではなく先天的（せんてんてき）な本能に根ざしている。

That behavior is not due to learning but is rooted in innate instinct.

Contrasting causes.

先天的（せんてんてき）な資質が環境によって開花するかどうかは未知数だ。

Whether innate qualities will blossom depending on the environment is an unknown.

Metaphorical usage.

言語獲得能力は人間に先天的（せんてんてき）に備わったプログラムである。

The ability to acquire language is an innately equipped program in humans.

Chomskyan linguistics.

先天的（せんてんてき）な優劣を論じることは倫理的に極めてデリケートな問題だ。

Discussing innate superiority or inferiority is an extremely delicate ethical issue.

Ethical discussion.

彼は先天的（せんてんてき）な絶対音感の持ち主として知られている。

He is known as a possessor of innate absolute pitch.

Specific musical term.

社会制度の歪みが、先天的（せんてんてき）な不平等を助長している。

Distortions in the social system are encouraging innate inequalities.

Sociological critique.

存在論的な観点から、人間の先天的（せんてんてき）な在り方を再考する。

Reconsider the innate state of human being from an ontological perspective.

High-level abstract philosophy.

ゲノム編集技術の進歩は、先天的（せんてんてき）な形質（けいしつ）の改変を可能にする。

Advances in genome editing technology make it possible to alter innate traits.

Bioethics context.

先天的（せんてんてき）な認識形式としての時間と空間の概念を分析する。

Analyze the concepts of time and space as innate forms of perception.

Epistemological analysis.

この作品は、人間の先天的（せんてんてき）な孤独をテーマにしている。

This work takes the innate loneliness of humans as its theme.

Literary analysis.

先天的（せんてんてき）な欠陥を補完するための高度な義体化技術。

Advanced prosthetic technology to supplement congenital defects.

Sci-fi/Technology context.

法的権利の根底には、先天的（せんてんてき）な人間の尊厳が存在する。

At the root of legal rights lies innate human dignity.

Jurisprudence context.

形而上学において、先天的（せんてんてき）な真理の探究は古くからの課題である。

In metaphysics, the search for innate truths is an age-old challenge.

Metaphysics context.

先天的（せんてんてき）な傾向が文化的背景によってどのように変容するか。

How innate tendencies are transformed by cultural backgrounds.

Cross-cultural psychology.

Synonyms

生まれつき生来天性本能的

Antonyms

後天的習得的

Common Collocations

先天的疾患

先天的な才能

先天的異常

先天的欠陥

先天的能力

先天的要因

先天的免疫

先天的権利

先天的資質

先天的盲目

Common Phrases

先天的か後天的か

— Whether it is innate or acquired. This is the standard way to frame the nature vs. nurture debate.

才能は先天的か後天的か、意見が分かれる。

先天的要素

— Innate elements or factors. Used to describe components of a person's makeup.

彼の成功には、先天的要素も大きい。

先天的傾向

— Innate tendencies. Used in psychology to describe natural inclinations.

子供には先天的傾向が見られる。

先天的特性

— Innate characteristics. Formal way to describe traits present at birth.

動物の先天的特性を研究する。

先天的構造

— Innate structure. Used in linguistics or biology.

脳の先天的構造について学ぶ。

先天的障害

— Congenital disability. Formal medical/social term.

先天的障害を持つ子供の教育。

先天的プログラム

— Innate program. Often used metaphorically in science or AI discussions.

生物には先天的プログラムが組み込まれている。

先天的基盤

— Innate foundation. Used for the biological basis of behavior.

言語の先天的基盤を探る。

先天的資質に恵まれる

— To be blessed with innate qualities/talents.

彼女は先天的資質に恵まれている。

先天的素質

— Innate aptitude or predisposition.

スポーツ選手としての先天的素質がある。

Often Confused With

先天的 vs 天然 (Tennen)

Refers to natural resources (natural gas) or a ditzy personality. Not for 'inborn' traits.

先天的 vs 自然 (Shizen)

Refers to the environment or doing something naturally. Too broad for 'innate'.

先天的 vs 遺伝的 (Identeki)

Specifically about DNA. 'Sententeki' can include non-genetic womb conditions.

Idioms & Expressions

"氏より育ち"

— Nurture is more important than nature. Literally: 'Upbringing over lineage.'

「氏より育ち」と言うが、先天的才能も無視できない。

Proverb

"三つ子の魂百まで"

— The soul of a three-year-old lasts until a hundred. Suggests that early/innate traits are permanent.

三つ子の魂百までと言うように、彼の先天的性格は変わらない。

Proverb

"蛇の道は蛇"

— Like knows like. Often used for people with specific innate inclinations.

彼のような先天的技術者は、蛇の道は蛇で、すぐ仲間を見つける。

Idiom

"栴檀は双葉より芳し"

— Genius reveals itself even in childhood. Literally: 'Sandalwood is fragrant even from the bud.'

彼の先天的才能は、まさに栴檀は双葉より芳しだ。

Idiom

"蛙の子は蛙"

— The child of a frog is a frog. Suggests that innate traits are inherited from parents.

彼が数学が得意なのは、蛙の子は蛙で、先天的要因だろう。

Idiom

"鳶が鷹を産む"

— A kite breeding a hawk. Used when a child has far superior innate talent compared to the parents.

凡人の両親から天才が生まれ、まさに鳶が鷹を産むような先天的変異だ。

Idiom

"生まれながらの"

— Born as a... / A born... Similar to 'sententeki' but more literary.

彼は生まれながらのリーダーだ。

Literary

"血は争えない"

— Blood will tell. You can't fight your genetics/innate nature.

歌が上手いのは、血は争えない先天的才能だ。

Idiom

"天性のものである"

— It is a gift of nature. Used for innate traits.

彼の明るさは天性のものである。

Formal

"骨の髄まで"

— To the marrow of one's bones. Suggests a trait is deeply innate.

彼は骨の髄まで先天的自由主義者だ。

Idiom

Easily Confused

先天的 vs 本能的

Both relate to things not learned.

Honnōteki is about automatic survival behaviors; Sententeki is about the origin of any trait.

空腹で泣くのは本能的だが、音楽の才能は先天的だ。

先天的 vs 固有の

Both mean 'internal' or 'essential'.

Koyū is about what makes something unique; Sententeki is specifically about being born with it.

この鳥に固有の模様は、先天的には決まっている。

先天的 vs 天性

Both mean 'natural talent'.

Tensei is a noun meaning 'nature/gift'; Sententeki is an adjective meaning 'innate'.

彼の明るさは天性のものだ。

先天的 vs 先天性

Looks almost the same.

Sentensei is a noun used in medical names (Congenital-ness).

先天性心疾患。

先天的 vs 宿命

Both imply things you can't change.

Shukumei is 'fate' or 'destiny'; Sententeki is biological/origin-based.

宿命を受け入れる。

Sentence Patterns

Aは先天的というよりは、むしろ後天的なものだ。

成功は先天的というよりは、むしろ後天的な努力によるものだ。

〜には、先天的資質が不可欠である。

芸術家には、先天的資質が不可欠である。

先天的要因と環境的要因の相互作用。

発達には先天的要因と環境的要因の相互作用が重要だ。

先天的には〜だが、実際は〜。

先天的には臆病だが、実際は勇敢に振る舞っている。

生まれつきの才能を先天的才能と言う。

日本語では生まれつきの才能を先天的才能と言う。

〜は先天的欠陥に起因する。

その機能不全は先天的欠陥に起因する。

先天的能力を最大限に発揮する。

彼は先天的能力を最大限に発揮して優勝した。

先天的認識形式の妥当性を検証する。

論文で先天的認識形式の妥当性を検証する。

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in news, textbooks, and medical discussions.

Common Mistakes

Using 'sententeki' for natural objects like 'natural wood'. → 天然の木 (Tennen no ki)
'Sententeki' is for biological traits or abstract concepts, not physical objects.
Saying 'sententeki na hito' to mean a natural/ditzy person. → 天然な人 (Tennen na hito)
'Sententeki' is clinical; 'Tennen' is the personality slang.
Confusing 'sententeki' with 'shizenteki'. → 自然的な (Shizenteki - natural/spontaneous)
'Sententeki' is about birth origin; 'Shizenteki' is about the manner of an action.
Forgetting the 'na' in 'sententeki na sainō'. → 先天的<strong>な</strong>才能
It is a Na-adjective and requires 'na' to modify a noun.
Using 'sententeki' for things learned very early in life. → 早期の (Sōki no - early stage)
If it was learned, it is 'kōtenteki', no matter how early.

Tips

Particle Choice

Always use 'na' before a noun and 'ni' before a verb. Never just say 'sententeki talent' without 'na'.

Medical Accuracy

In medical contexts, 'sentensei' (先天性) is often used as a prefix for disease names, e.g., '先天性疾患'.

Nature vs Nurture

In essays, use the phrase '先天的要因と後天的要因' to discuss the balance of influences.

Antonym Pairing

Memorize 'sententeki' and 'kōtenteki' as a single pair. They are rarely discussed without each other.

Formal Tone

Use this word when you want to sound objective. If you're being emotional, use '生まれつき'.

Kanji Meaning

Remember 'Ten' as nature. Whatever 'Ten' gave you is 'sententeki'.

Presentation Tip

When presenting data on genetics, 'sententeki' is the most appropriate term.

Delicate Topics

When discussing intelligence, use 'sententeki' carefully to avoid sounding like you believe people cannot change.

JLPT Strategy

If you see this word in a reading passage, look for 'environment' (環境) or 'learning' (学習) nearby for comparison.

The 'Before' Word

The first kanji '先' (Sen) means 'before'. It's what you had BEFORE anything else happened.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Sen' as 'Senior' (older/before) and 'Ten' as 'Tendency'. You have a 'Senior Tendency'—something that was there before you were even born!

Visual Association

Imagine a baby holding a paintbrush or a musical note inside a DNA strand. This represents talent that is 'sententeki'.

Word Web

DNA Birth Nature Talent Disease A priori Innate Baby

Challenge

Try to write three sentences: one about a talent you have that is 'sententeki', one about a skill that is 'kōtenteki', and one asking a friend their opinion on the two.

Word Origin

Derived from Sino-Japanese (Kango) roots. 'Sen' means before, 'Ten' means heaven/nature, and 'Teki' is a suffix making it an adjective.

Original meaning: Coming from the order of nature before human influence.

Sino-Japanese

Cultural Context

Be careful when using this word regarding disabilities or intelligence, as it can sound deterministic. In social contexts, focus on support and environment.

Equivalent to 'Nature vs Nurture' discussions. English speakers often use 'innate' or 'congenital'.

Nature vs Nurture debate (氏か育ちか) Chomsky's Innate Language Acquisition Device The 'Gifted' (ギフテッド) movement in Japanese education

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Medical Diagnosis

先天的疾患
先天的異常
先天的欠陥
先天的要因

Psychological Debate

先天的か後天的か
先天的特性
先天的能力
先天的気質

Philosophy/Ethics

先天的権利
先天的認識
先天的真理
先天的プログラム

Sports/Art Commentary

先天的才能
先天的資質
先天的体格
先天的センス

Science/Biology

先天的免疫
先天的行動
先天的反射
先天的構造

Conversation Starters

"才能は先天的だと思いますか、それとも努力によるものだと思いますか？"

"人間の性格のどれくらいが先天的だと思いますか？"

"先天的能力を伸ばすために、教育は何ができるでしょうか？"

"もし先天的疾患を遺伝子操作で治せるとしたら、賛成しますか？"

"リーダーシップは先天的資質が必要だと思いますか？"

Journal Prompts

自分の持っている先天的だと思う才能について書いてください。

「先天的か後天的か」という議論について、あなたの意見を述べてください。

あなたが後天的に努力して身につけたスキルについて、先天的才能と比較して書いてください。

もし子供の先天的特徴を選べるとしたら、何を選びますか？その理由は？

社会における「先天的不平等」をどのように解決すべきだと思いますか？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but it sounds very formal. For example, '先天的（せんてんてき）な性格' is correct in a psychology paper, but in conversation, '生まれつきの性格' is better.

The opposite is '後天的' (kōtenteki), which means 'acquired' or 'learned after birth.' These two are almost always used together in debates.

Yes, it can describe innate behaviors or physical traits in animals, such as '先天的（せんてんてき）な狩りの本能' (innate hunting instinct).

Yes, it is often used for '先天的（せんてんてき）な才能' (innate talent). However, it is also very common in medical contexts for diseases.

It is written as 先天的. '先' (before), '天' (heaven/nature), '的' (adjective marker).

Yes, it is typically considered an N2 level vocabulary word because of its formal and abstract nature.

No. For natural water, use '天然（てんねん）の水' or '自然（しぜん）の水'. 'Sententeki' is only for traits of living beings or abstract concepts.

'Identeki' (genetic) is a subset of 'sententeki'. If a baby is affected by a virus in the womb, the condition is 'sententeki' but not 'identeki'.

Yes, it's used as an adverb: '先天的（せんてんてき）に備わっている' (innately endowed).

Yes, if you are discussing your '先天的（せんてんてき）な強み' (innate strengths), it sounds very professional.