性能（せいのう、seinou）
- performance

The Japanese word 性能 (せいのう, seinou) primarily means "performance," "efficiency," "capability," or "specifications" of something. It refers to how well something functions, operates, or achieves its intended purpose. This can apply to a wide range of things, including machines, products, systems, and even people. Understanding 性能 involves considering factors like speed, accuracy, reliability, and overall effectiveness. The exact nuance depends on the context in which it's used. When referring to machines, 性能 often indicates how well it performs tasks. For systems, it might indicate how efficiently it can process data. For products, it could imply their durability or effectiveness, and for individuals, their capabilities or skills.

⚫︎この車のエンジン性能は素晴らしいです。 Translation: This car's engine performance is excellent. ⚫︎最新のスマートフォンのカメラは、高い性能を誇っています。 Translation: The latest smartphone camera boasts high performance. ⚫︎そのソフトウェアの性能は、改善の余地があります。 Translation: The performance of that software has room for improvement.

You can use 性能 in various situations to discuss the capabilities of something. ⚫︎When comparing products: Discussing the 性能 of different brands of computers. ⚫︎In technical discussions: Analyzing the 性能 of a new piece of machinery. ⚫︎When providing feedback: Describing the 性能 of a service or system. It is a formal word and it's suitable to use it in work place, presentations or any kind of professional setting.

性能 is typically written using the kanji 性能, with the reading せいのう in hiragana. There are no other standard ways to write this word. The okurigana (the suffix hiragana) is always う.

⚫︎ 機能（きのう）：function, feature ⚫︎ 能力（のうりょく）：ability, capability ⚫︎ 効率（こうりつ）：efficiency ⚫︎ パフォーマンス（ぱふぉーまんす）：performance (loanword)

⚫︎ 欠陥（けっかん）：defect, fault ⚫︎ 不良（ふりょう）：failure, defect ⚫︎ 劣化（れっか）：deterioration ⚫︎ 非効率（ひこうりつ）：inefficiency

このパソコンは高い性能を持っていて、動画編集もスムーズにできます。 ・Translation: This computer has high performance and can smoothly edit videos. ・Explanation: This sentence explains that the computer's 性能 allows for smooth video editing.

新しいゲーム機は、グラフィック性能が大幅に向上しました。 ・Translation: The new game console's graphic performance has improved significantly. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the improvement in the graphic 性能 of the new game console.

The word 性能 is a compound word. 性（せい） means "nature," "characteristic," or "property," and 能（のう） means "ability," "capability," or "function." Combined, 性能 describes the inherent capability or function of something. It is a Sino-Japanese word, meaning it originated from Chinese characters used in the Japanese language.