1.
by nature; from birth; innate quality
A quality, trait, or condition that a person has had since birth, as opposed to something acquired later in life. Used both as a noun (meaning 'natural disposition') and as an adverb (meaning 'from birth').
彼女は生まれつき目がいい。
She has naturally good eyesight.
生まれつきの才能だけでは成功できない。
You can't succeed on innate talent alone.
生まれつき体が弱かったが、運動を続けて健康になった。
I was frail from birth, but I became healthy by continuing to exercise.
Combines 生まれる (to be born) with つき (attached/inherent). Can function as a noun modifying another noun with の (生まれつきの性格 'innate personality') or as an adverb directly modifying a predicate (生まれつき足が速い 'naturally fast on one's feet').
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 生まれつきの才能: innate talent
- 生まれつきの性格: natural temperament
- 生まれつき体が弱い: physically frail from birth
- 生まれつき目が悪い: born with poor eyesight
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 先天的: congenital, innate — more formal and medical/academic in tone
- 天性: natural gift, innate nature — literary, often used for positive traits
- 持って生まれた: born with — a verbal phrase with the same meaning