尽

• Pinyin: jìn
• Hanzi breakdown: 尽 = simplified from 盡 (hand emptying a vessel) — to exhaust completely

Meaning

To the fullest; to exhaust; to use up completely; as much as possible.

Conveys completeness and maximization. As a verb, means to exhaust or use up entirely. As an adverb, indicates doing something to the greatest extent possible. Common in phrases expressing giving one's all or making full use of resources. Also appears in formal requests meaning 'please feel free to.'

Examples

1. 他尽了最大的努力去完成这个任务，结果还是差了一点。 He gave his utmost effort to complete this task, but the result still fell a bit short.
2. 图书馆的资源你尽管用，不用客气。 Feel free to use the library resources — no need to be polite.
3. 把能想到的办法都尽量试一试，说不定有一个能行。 Try all the methods you can think of — one of them might just work.

Usage Guide

Context: formal speech, encouragement, effort

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 尽快给我回复。(Reply to me as soon as possible.)
• 有什么需要尽管说。(Feel free to speak up if you need anything.)

Don't Say

• 我尽了你。(尽 doesn't take a person as direct object — say 我尽力帮你 instead)

Origin & History

Originally depicted a hand holding an empty vessel, symbolizing emptying or exhausting completely. The simplified form 尽 derives from the traditional 盡.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal