精

• Pinyin: jīng
• Hanzi breakdown: 精 = 米 (rice) + 青 (blue/green, phonetic), originally refined rice, later essence or refined quality

Meaning

Refined; fine; skilled; essence. Describes something of high quality, or someone who is sharp and clever.

A versatile character with multiple uses: as an adjective meaning refined or skilled (精明, 精通), as a noun meaning essence or spirit (精神, 精华), or describing someone shrewd (这人真精). Also used in compound words related to excellence and purity. Colloquially, 精 can describe someone who is calculating or cunning in a somewhat neutral way.

Examples

1. 这家老店的手艺特别精，每道菜都做得一丝不苟。 This old shop's craftsmanship is exceptionally refined; every dish is made with meticulous care.
2. 她买东西精得很，从来不吃亏，什么便宜都让她占了。 She's really shrewd when shopping — she never loses out and always gets the best deals.
3. 这件瓷器做工真精，一看就是出自名家之手。 The workmanship on this porcelain is truly exquisite; you can tell at a glance it's from a master craftsman.

Usage Guide

Context: craftsmanship, personality, everyday

Tone: appreciative

Do Say

• 这人可精了，你骗不了他。(This guy is really sharp; you can't fool him.)
• 他干活特别精，从不马虎。(He works meticulously; he's never sloppy.)

Don't Say

• 把精当成单纯的贬义词使用 (精 when describing a person is often neutral or even admiring — it's not purely negative like 'sneaky')

Origin & History

Originally meant 'refined rice' (米 radical suggests grain). Extended to mean anything refined, pure, or of the highest quality.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal