Meanings of 精神
By ear
Play it, then pick what 精神 means.
About 精神
Podcast: 精神
Podcast: 精神
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 精神
意志 (yìzhì) - use 精神 when referring to general mental states or vitality, while 意志 emphasizes willpower or determination.
Be careful not to confuse 精神 with similar terms like 心情 (xīnqíng), which means mood. It's used in both formal and informal contexts, often paired with verbs like '有' (yǒu - to have) or adjectives like '好' (hǎo - good) to describe one's mental state positively.
As an HSK 5 word, 精神 connects well with other vocabulary dealing with emotions and psychological states, such as 心 (xīn - heart/mind) and 情绪 (qíngxù - mood). Focus on using it in sentences to describe feelings or attitudes.
Learners might confuse 精神 with similar words like 思想 (sīxiǎng - thought), using it incorrectly in contexts that don't pertain to spirit or mental states. For example, saying '我的思想很好' (Wǒ de sīxiǎng hěn hǎo) instead of '我的精神很好' (Wǒ de jīngshén hěn hǎo) is a common error.
Pronunciation of 精神
Drill the tone of 精神 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 精神 to You
Let me explain 精神 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 精神 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 精神?
Learning Lab
Knowing 精神 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Component Characters
How to say spirit in Chinese
“spirit” in Chinese is精神
精神 (jīngshén) refers to the concept of spirit or mind, encompassing mental states, consciousness, and vitality. It is commonly used in both psychological contexts and everyday conversations to describe one's energy or enthusiasm, as well as the essence of thoughts or ideas.
When to use 精神
Be careful not to confuse 精神 with similar terms like 心情 (xīnqíng), which means mood. It's used in both formal and informal contexts, often paired with verbs like '有' (yǒu - to have) or adjectives like '好' (hǎo - good) to describe one's mental state positively.
精神 or something close to it
意志 (yìzhì) - use 精神 when referring to general mental states or vitality, while 意志 emphasizes willpower or determination.
What learners get wrong
Learners might confuse 精神 with similar words like 思想 (sīxiǎng - thought), using it incorrectly in contexts that don't pertain to spirit or mental states. For example, saying '我的思想很好' (Wǒ de sīxiǎng hěn hǎo) instead of '我的精神很好' (Wǒ de jīngshén hěn hǎo) is a common error.
Write 精神
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 精神 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 精神
精神 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 12 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我们感到大家生活的____层次各不相同。
We felt we were living life on several different planes.
Example Sentences for 精神 (10)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 精神?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
Frequently Asked Questions about 精神
You can say '我今天精神很好' (Wǒ jīntiān jīngshén hěn hǎo), meaning 'I feel very energetic today.'
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 精神?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.