精 (jīng) - Essence & spirit

精Tone 1

jīng ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

傑君

精 · jīng

Essence;

spirit;

refined;

skilled;

concentrated;

energy;

meticulous;

proficient;

the best part of something.

Essencespiritrefined

Usage highlights

Spirit; energyExpert; proficientEssence; quintessenceRefined; meticulousElite troopsPrecision instrument

Synonyms

  • 粹— pure essence; unadulterated
  • 华— best part; essence; splendor
  • 湛— profound (in knowledge or skill)

Antonyms

  • 粗— coarse; rough; crude
  • 糟— dregs; waste; poor quality

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He is an expert in this field (精通).
  • This is the essence of the matter (精髓).
  • She is very energetic (精力充沛).
  • The workmanship is exquisite (做工精良).

Collocations

  • Spirit; energy(精神)
  • Expert; proficient(精通)
  • Essence; quintessence(精髓)
  • Refined; meticulous(精细)
  • Elite troops(精兵)
  • Precision instrument(精密仪器)

Idioms

  • Go from strength to strength; become more refined(精益求精)
  • Be well-versed in both polite and martial arts(文武双全, 精明强干)
  • Concentrate one's effort and attention(聚精会神)
  • Spend the best years of one's life(殚精竭虑)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese medicine and philosophy, '精' (Jing) is one of the Three Treasures, representing the essence of life and physical vitality.
  • The character is associated with high quality, precision, and mastery, often used to describe skilled craftsmanship or deep knowledge.
  • It carries a positive connotation of purity and the finest part of something, free from dross or impurity.

FAQ