Recently, the MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) has gained popularity among young people, sparking a craze for online quizzes, workshops, and personality-based matchmaking services.

Many Chinese companies also use the MBTI for recruitment and team-building to enhance communication among employees.

Let's explore this four-letter indicator and learn some useful vocabulary for describing personalities.

What Is The MBTI?

The MBTI, also known as MBTI測試 (MBTI cè shì) is a personality assessment based on Carl Jung's theories of psychological types.

It is mainly used to measure people's psychological activities and personality types in obtaining information, making decisions, and dealing with life.

邁爾斯-布里格斯類型指標(biāo)
Mài ěr sī-Bù lǐ gé sī Lèi xíng Zhǐ biāo
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

The indicator was developed by Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers in the early 1940s and categorizes individuals into 16 distinct personality types across four dimensions:

Introversion (內(nèi)向, nèi xiàng) vs. Extraversion (外向, wài xiàng).

This dimension describes how a person gains energy. Extroverts tend to gain energy from the external world, while introverts gain energy from their internal world and solitude.

Sensing (感覺, gǎn jué) vs. Intuition (直覺, zhí jué).

This dimension involves the way information is received. Sensing individuals focus on reality and concrete information perceived directly through the five senses, while intuitive individuals focus on patterns, imagination, and possibilities.

Thinking (思考, sī kǎo) vs. Feeling (情感, qíng gǎn).

This dimension describes the decision-making process. Thinking individuals focus on logic and objective standards while feeling individuals consider interpersonal relationships and others' emotions.

Judging (判斷, pàn duàn) vs. Perceiving (知覺, zhī jué).

Dimension involves one's attitude toward the external world. Judging individuals prefer a planned and organized life, while perceiving individuals are more flexible, open, and like to keep their options open.

16 Personalities

There are a total of 16 personalities, each personality type is represented by a four-letter code, which provides insight into an individual's preferences, behaviors, and interactions with the world.

16型人格
shí liù xíng rén gé
16 personalities

PRO TIP

For many young Chinese, discussing MBTI types is a popular social activity (社交活動, shèjiāo huódòng). If you want to break the ice in conversations you can ask someone:

你是I人還是E人?
Nǐ shì I rén hái shì E rén？
Are you introvert or extrovert?
lit. "Are you an i-person or an e-person?"

Now, let's take a closer look at all 16 personality types. This way, you'll be ready to discuss them with your Chinese friends, colleagues, or even on a date.

09. Logistician (ISTJ)

Logisticians are known for their practicality, reliability, and meticulous attention to detail. They are practical and fact-minded individuals, whose reliability cannot be doubted.

物流師 (ISTJ)
Wù liú shī (ISTJ)
Logistician (ISTJ)

The methodical approach of 物流師 (Wù liú shī) to problem-solving makes them excellent planners and organizers.

Introversion ?????????? Extraversion
Sensing ?????????? Intuition
Thinking ?????????? Feeling
Judging ?????????? Perceiving

PERSONAL TRAITS OF LOGISTICIAN

可靠 (kě kào) – reliable
務(wù)實(shí) (wù shí) – enthusiastic
果斷 (guǒ duàn) – decisive

10. Defender (ISFJ)

Defenders are very dedicated and warm protectors, always ready to defend their loved ones. They are known for their kindness, dedication, and strong sense of duty.

守衛(wèi)者 (ISFJ)
Shǒu wèi zhě (ISFJ)
Defender (ISFJ)

Defenders are supportive and reliable, often going above and beyond to help those in need. They are nurturing and protective, making them excellent caretakers and trusted friends.

Introversion ?????????? Extraversion
Sensing ?????????? Intuition
Feeling ?????????? Thinking
Judging ?????????? Perceiving

PERSONAL TRAITS OF DEFENDER

友善 (yǒu shàn) – friendly
忠誠 (zhōng chéng) – loyal
親切 (qīn qiè) – kind

11. Executive (ESTJ)

Executives are decisive and clear-headed, with a strong sense of duty and responsibility. They value tradition and uphold standards, often setting high expectations for themselves and others.

總經(jīng)理 (ESTJ)
Zǒng jīng lǐ (ESTJ)
Executive (ESTJ)

Executives are natural organizers who excel in taking charge and ensuring that everything runs smoothly and according to plan.

Extraversion ?????????? Introversion
Sensing ?????????? Intuition
Thinking ?????????? Feeling
Judging ?????????? Perceiving

PERSONAL TRAITS OF EXECUTIVE

務(wù)實(shí) (wù shí) – pragmatic
精力充沛 (jīng lì chōng pèi) – vigorous
領(lǐng)導(dǎo)能力強(qiáng) (lǐng dǎo néng lì qiáng) – strong leadership skills

12. Consul (ESFJ)

Consuls, identified by the personality type ESFJ, are known for their warmth, sociability, and strong sense of community.

執(zhí)政官 (ESFJ)
Zhí zhèng guān (ESFJ)
Consul (ESFJ)

Consuls are caring and supportive individuals who thrive on helping others and creating harmonious environments. They are often the glue that holds groups together, whether in family, work, or social settings.

Extraversion ?????????? Introversion
Sensing ?????????? Intuition
Feeling ?????????? Thinking
Judging ?????????? Perceiving

PERSONAL TRAITS OF CONSUL

友善 (yǒu shàn) – friendly
負(fù)責(zé) (fù zé) – conscientious
社交能力強(qiáng) (shè jiāo néng lì qiáng) – strong social skills

13. Virtuoso (ISTP)

The Virtuosos are known for their resourcefulness and adventurous spirit. They are innovative and practical experimenters, and masters of all kinds of tools.

鑒賞家 (ISTP)
Jiàn shǎng jiā (ISTP)
Virtuoso (ISTP)

Virtuosos have a knack for understanding the mechanics of systems and objects, often excelling in fields that require technical skills and practical know-how, such as engineering, mechanics, and craftsmanship.

Introversion ?????????? Extraversion
Sensing ?????????? Intuition
Thinking ?????????? Feeling
Perceiving ?????????? Judging

PERSONAL TRAITS OF VIRTUOSO

實(shí)用 (shí yòng) – practical
靈活 (líng huó) – flexible
獨(dú)立 (dú lì) – independent

Chinese netizens have nicknamed this personality "Brother Drill" (鉆哥 Zuān Gē) highlighting his skill in mechanical work.

14. Adventurer (ISFP)

Adventurers are free spirits who thrive on exploring new experiences and expressing themselves in unique ways. They are sensitive and often drawn to helping others and making the world a more beautiful place.

探險(xiǎn)家 (ISFP)
Tàn xiǎn jiā (ISFP)
Adventurer (ISFP)

Adventurers have a keen eye for aesthetics and often excel in artistic pursuits such as music, visual arts, and design.

Introversion ?????????? Extraversion
Sensing ?????????? Intuition
Feeling ?????????? Thinking
Perceiving ?????????? Judging

PERSONAL TRAITS OF ADVENTURER

溫和 (wēn hé) – gentle
感性 (gǎn xìng) – perceptual
善良 (shàn liáng) – kindhearted

15. Entrepreneur (ESTP)

Entrepreneurs are savvy, energetic, and very perceptive people who truly enjoy living on the edge. They are known for their energy, boldness, and knack for taking action.

企業(yè)家 (ESTP)
Qǐyèjiā (ESTP)
Entrepreneur (ESTP)

Their natural charisma and persuasive communication skills make them effective negotiators and leaders, often inspiring others with their confidence and drive.

Extraversion ?????????? Introversion
Sensing ?????????? Intuition
Thinking ?????????? Feeling
Perceiving ?????????? Judging

PERSONAL TRAITS OF ENTREPRENEUR

實(shí)用 (shí yòng) – pragmatic
善于辯論 (shàn yú biàn lùn) – good at debating
機(jī)智 (jī zhì) – resourceful

16. Entertainer (ESFP)

Entertainers are the life of the party, bringing joy and excitement wherever they go. They are spontaneous and playful, always eager to explore new experiences and share them with others.

表演者 (ESFP)
Biǎo yǎn zhě (ESFP)
Entertainer (ESFP)

Entertainers have a natural ability to make others feel comfortable and appreciated, often using their charm and wit to create a fun and lively atmosphere – life is never boring around them.

Extraversion ?????????? Introversion
Sensing ?????????? Intuition
Feeling ?????????? Thinking
Perceiving ?????????? Judging

PERSONAL TRAITS OF ENTERTAINER

友善 (yǒu shàn) – friendly
活潑 (huó pō) – lively
樂觀的 (lè guān de) – optimistic

Your Turn!

你的MBTI是什么？
Nǐ de MBTI shì shén me?
What's your MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) type?

來源：That's Mandarin
編輯：萬月英