Meanings of 精明
By ear
Play it, then pick what 精明 means.
About 精明
Podcast: 精明
Podcast: 精明
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 精明
精明 (jīngmíng) vs 精明强干 (jīngmíng qiánggàn): choose 精明 for a focus on astuteness, while 精明强干 emphasizes both sharpness and capability in action.
精明 is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, often in business discussions. Be careful not to confuse it with 聪明 (cōngmíng), which means 'clever' but is less focused on practical savvy. Common collocations include 精明的商人 (jīngmíng de shāngrén - astute businessman).
精明 is not an HSK vocabulary word, but it relates to the concept of intelligence found in HSK Level 4 vocabulary. Students should focus on the nuances between words like 精明 and 聪明 to expand their understanding of describing intelligence.
Learners often confuse 精明 with 聪明. For example, saying '她很精明' (tā hěn jīngmíng - she is clever) is incorrect if the context is about general intelligence; instead, use '聪明'.
Pronunciation of 精明
Drill the tone of 精明 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 精明 to You
Let me explain 精明 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 精明 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 精明?
Learning Lab
Knowing 精明 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 astute in Chinese
“astute” in Chinese is精明
精明 (jīngmíng) refers to a person who is astute, shrewd, or keenly intelligent, especially in practical matters. This term is often used to describe someone who is good at making decisions and understanding situations quickly, often in a business or financial context. It carries a positive connotation, suggesting sharpness and acumen.
When to use 精明
精明 is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, often in business discussions. Be careful not to confuse it with 聪明 (cōngmíng), which means 'clever' but is less focused on practical savvy. Common collocations include 精明的商人 (jīngmíng de shāngrén - astute businessman).
精明 or something close to it
精明 (jīngmíng) vs 精明强干 (jīngmíng qiánggàn): choose 精明 for a focus on astuteness, while 精明强干 emphasizes both sharpness and capability in action.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 精明 with 聪明. For example, saying '她很精明' (tā hěn jīngmíng - she is clever) is incorrect if the context is about general intelligence; instead, use '聪明'.
Write 精明
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 精明 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 精明?
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.
Cultural Notes for 精明
In Western cultures, being shrewd can sometimes carry a negative connotation, implying cunningness or deceit, whereas in Chinese culture, it is often seen as a valuable trait for success.
Frequently Asked Questions about 精明
精明 refers specifically to practical astuteness, while 聪明 is a broader term for cleverness or intelligence.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 精明?
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.