菁 (jīng) - Essence, elite, lush vegetation & refers to the finest part of something, often

菁Tone 1

jīng ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

傑君

菁 · jīng

Essence, elite, lush vegetation;

refers to the finest part of something, often used metaphorically for outstanding people or the most refined aspects.

Essence, elite, lush vegetationrefers to the finest part of something, often

Usage highlights

EliteLush vegetationEssence and refinementTalented personOutstanding talentGathering of elites

Synonyms

  • 英— hero; outstanding; flower
  • 华— magnificent; essence; splendor
  • 粹— pure; essence

Antonyms

  • 芜— overgrown with weeds; messy
  • 渣— dregs; residue

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The elite of society(菁英)
  • Lush green vegetation(菁菁)
  • Extracting the essence(萃取菁华)
  • A talented and virtuous person(菁莪)

Collocations

  • Elite(菁英)
  • Lush vegetation(菁菁)
  • Essence and refinement(菁华)
  • Talented person(菁莪)
  • Outstanding talent(人菁)
  • Gathering of elites(群菁)

Idioms

  • Gathering of the elite and the wise(含菁咀华)
  • Selecting the essence and discarding the dross(去芜存菁)
  • Nurturing talented individuals(菁莪造士)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally described the lush, flowering part of plants, later extended metaphorically to human talent and the essence of things.
  • Used in classical texts like the Book of Songs to describe luxuriant growth, carrying positive connotations of vitality and excellence.
  • In modern usage, it frequently appears in terms like 菁英 (elite) to denote the highest caliber of individuals in a field.

FAQ