精明

• Pinyin: jīng míng
• Hanzi breakdown: 精 = 米 (rice) + 青 (blue/green), refined; 明 = 日 (sun) + 月 (moon), bright

Meaning

Shrewd; astute; sharp-minded, especially in practical or business matters.

Describes someone who is quick-witted and savvy, particularly in seeing through situations and making smart decisions. Can be positive (praising cleverness) or slightly negative (implying calculating or crafty), depending on context. Often used in business contexts.

Examples

1. 她是个精明的商人，从不做亏本买卖。 She's a shrewd businesswoman who never makes a losing deal.
2. 别看他老实巴交的样子，其实精明着呢。 Don't be fooled by his honest appearance — he's actually quite sharp.
3. 在投资市场上，光靠精明还不够，还得有运气。 In the investment market, being shrewd alone isn't enough — you also need luck.

Usage Guide

Context: business, evaluation, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 她精明能干，是我们部门的骨干。(She's shrewd and capable — a backbone of our department.)
• 买东西还是得精明点，别被人坑了。(You need to be sharp when shopping so you don't get ripped off.)

Don't Say

• 他对朋友太精明了。(Sounds like criticism — implies being calculating with friends)

Origin & History

Combines 精 (refined, sharp) with 明 (bright, clear). Together they describe someone with sharp, clear perception.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal