Meanings of 精
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About 精
Podcast: 精
Podcast: 精
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AI Study Notes for 精
精 (jīng) vs 鮮 (xiān) - choose 精 when referring to essence or proficiency, while 鮮 emphasizes freshness or vividness.
Think of 精 (jīng) as a ‘genius’ who embodies the essence of intelligence and energy. The character features the radical 精, which can evoke the image of something being distilled to its finest form, much like a pure extract or essence taken from something larger.
When using 精, remember it often appears in more formal contexts to denote quality or excellence. Common collocations include 精华 (jīnghuá - essence) and 精致 (jīngzhì - exquisite). Be cautious with pronunciation; the tone must be accurate to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.
Although not specifically listed in HSK levels, 精 connects well with other HSK vocabulary that expresses quality and proficiency, such as 优秀 (yōuxiù - excellent). Focus on recognizing it in compound words and practice its tone with other similar characters.
In Chinese traditional medicine, 精 refers to vital essence, which is a central concept in understanding health and wellness, highlighting the importance of energy and life force in daily life.
Learners often confuse 精 with similar characters like 精神 (jīngshén - spirit) or 精益求精 (jīngyìqiújīng - to improve on perfection). A common error is to use 精 in casual contexts where simpler words would suffice, like saying 精 for ‘fine’ instead of 好 (hǎo).
Pronunciation of 精
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Etymology of 精
Phonosemantic compound. 米 represents the meaning and 青 represents the sound.
grain
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 精?
Decomposition of 精
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 精?
Write 精
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Practice writing 精 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 精
精 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 14 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
他的演出一次比一次____彩。
His performances are more spectacular each time.
Common Confusions with 精
Similar pronunciation and shape but different meanings.
Spot the Difference
Which character means "essence"?
Usage Notes for 精
精 is often used in compound words to indicate essence or refinement.
精神
spirit; consciousness
精华
essence; extract
Learners may confuse 精 with similar characters such as 净, leading to errors in meaning.
精和净是不同的。
Jīng and jìng are different.
Fill in the Blank
____神
spirit; consciousness
Example Sentences for 精 (10)
Cultural Notes for 精
The character 精 (jīng) originally relates to grain, referring to the essence extracted from it. This gives a rich metaphorical sense to the word, connecting it to purity and refinement.
In Chinese traditional medicine, 精 refers to vital essence, which is a central concept in understanding health and wellness, highlighting the importance of energy and life force in daily life.
A common Chinese saying is '精益求精' (jīng yì qiú jīng), meaning to strive for perfection. It emphasizes the continuous pursuit of excellence, a value deeply respected in Chinese culture.
Word Family of 精
Compound Meaning
What does 精神 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 精
Yes, 精 (jīng) can be used in daily conversation, especially when discussing topics like health, quality, or energy. Phrases like 精力充沛 (jīnglì chōngpèi), meaning 'full of energy', are quite common. Incorporating this character can make your speech more expressive and nuanced.