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
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.

01. Architect (INTJ)

Architects are independent, confident, strategic, and good at planning and solving complex problems.

建筑師 (INTJ)
Jiàn zhù shī (INTJ)
Architect (INTJ)

Architects are characterized by a unique combination of preferences: Introversion, Intuition, Thinking, and Judging.

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

PERSONAL TRAITS OF ARCHITECT

自信 (zìxìn) – self-confident
有遠見 (yǒu yuǎnjiàn) – visionary
邏輯性強 (luójíxìng qiáng) – strong logic

02. Logician (INTP)

Logicians are rational, independent, and curious, they are skilled in analysis and logical thinking and enjoy exploring theories and concepts.

邏輯學家 (INTP)
Luó jí xué jiā (INTP)
Logician (INTP)

Logic and reason are the most important traits and preferences of INTPs, which explains their nicknames.

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

PERSONAL TRAITS OF LOGICIAN

理性 (lǐ xìng) – rational
邏輯性強 (luó jí xìng qiáng) – strong logic
好奇 (hào qí) – curious

03. Commander (ENTJ)

Commanders are confident, and decisive, possess leadership qualities, and are adept at formulating strategies and achieving goals.

指揮官 (ENTJ)
Zhǐ huī guān (ENTJ)
Commander (ENTJ)

The extroverted nature of 指揮官 (Zhǐ huī guān) allows them to engage with people easily and gives them the ability to motivate and persuade others to do their best.

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

PERSONAL TRAITS OF COMMANDER

領導能力 (lǐng dǎo néng lì) – strong leadership skills
自信 (zì xìn) – confidence
果斷 (guǒ duàn) – decisive

04. Debater (ENTP)

Debaters are sharp and curious minds, good at debating, enjoy challenges and innovation, and are eager to explore novel solutions.

辯論家 (ENTP)
Biàn lùn jiā (ENTP)
Debater (ENTP)

The P in this personality type stands for Perceiving. Perceivers prefer flexible schedules and are spontaneous. They enjoy open-ended situations while avoiding decision-making.

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

PERSONAL TRAITS OF DEBATER

有魅力 (yǒu mèi lì) – charismatic
善于辯論 (shàn yú biàn lùn) – good at debating
機智 (jī zhì) – resourceful

05. Advocate (INFJ)

Advocates are quiet visionaries, often serving as inspiring and tireless idealists. They are caring for others, with a strong moral compass and sense of purpose.

提倡者 (INFJ)
Tí chàng zhě (INFJ)
Advocate (INFJ)

Out of all the MBTI personality types, the INFJ is the most unique as it is the result of a combination of preferences that generally exclude one another:

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

PERSONAL TRAITS OF ADVOCATE

有同理心 (yǒu tóng lǐ xīn) – empathetic
利他主義 (lì tā zhǔ yì) – altruistic
堅定 (jiān dìng) – firm

06. Mediator (INFP)

Mediators are poetic, kind, and altruistic people, always eager to help a good cause. They have a deep sense of empathy, understanding, and connection with the emotions of others.

調停者 (INFP)
Tiáo tíng zhě (INFP)
Mediator (INFP)

People with the INFP personality type long for deep, soulful relationships, and they feel called to help others.

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

PERSONAL TRAITS OF MEDIATOR

有同理心 (yǒu tóng lǐ xīn) – empathetic
忠誠 (zhōng chéng) – loyal
善良 (shàn liáng) – kind

07. Protagonist (ENFJ)

Protagonists are inspirational optimists who are quick to take action in pursuit of what they believe is right.

主人公 (ENFJ)
Zhǔ rén gōng (ENFJ)
Protagonist (ENFJ)

They are skilled at organizing and coordinating people and resources to achieve their goals and also are persuasive communicators, able to influence others to adopt their point of view.

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

PERSONAL TRAITS OF PROTAGONIST

鼓舞人心 (gǔ wǔ rén xīn) – inspiring
熱情 (rè qíng) – enthusiastic
精力充沛 (jīng lì chōng pèi) – energetic

08. Campaigner (ENFP)

Campaigners are passionate, creative, adept at inspiring others, and enjoy exploring new ideas and possibilities.

競選者 (ENFP)
Jìng xuǎn zhě (ENFP)
Campaigner (ENFP)

競選者 (Jìng xuǎn zhě) are sociable, warm-hearted, and open-minded. Their vibrant and positive outlook on life makes them stand out in any social setting.

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

PERSONAL TRAITS OF CAMPAIGNER

心胸開闊 (xīn xiōng kāi kuò) – openhearted
熱情洋溢 (rè qíng yáng yì) – enthusiastic
精力充沛 (jīng lì chōng pèi) – energetic

來源：That's Mandarin
編輯：萬月英