精致

• Pinyin: jīng zhì
• Hanzi breakdown: 精 = 米 (rice) + 青 (clear, phonetic) — refined; 致 = 至 (reach) + 攴 (strike, action) — meticulous effort

Meaning

Exquisite; refined; delicate and carefully crafted.

Describes something made with great attention to detail and care — craftsmanship, food presentation, aesthetics, or lifestyle. Increasingly popular in modern Chinese internet culture to describe a polished, aesthetically pleasing way of living (精致生活). Not used for sloppy or rough things.

Examples

1. 这家餐厅的摆盘相当精致，让人舍不得动筷子。 The plating at this restaurant is so exquisite that you almost don't want to touch it with your chopsticks.
2. 她的妆容精致得无可挑剔，每一处细节都经过细心打磨。 Her makeup is immaculately refined, with every detail carefully polished.
3. 那套木雕工艺品刻工精致，堪称一绝，吸引了不少收藏家竞相出价。 The woodcarving set is exquisitely carved — a true masterpiece — attracting many collectors to bid competitively.

Usage Guide

Context: aesthetics, food, craftsmanship, lifestyle

Tone: appreciative

Do Say

• 这件首饰做工精致，值得珍藏。(This piece of jewellery is exquisitely crafted and worth treasuring.)
• 她追求精致的生活方式，对细节极为讲究。(She pursues a refined lifestyle and is extremely attentive to detail.)

Don't Say

• 这个粗糙的木板很精致。(精致 cannot describe rough or unrefined objects — it implies delicate workmanship)

Origin & History

精 (refined, precise) + 致 (to reach; meticulous). Together: painstakingly reaching a state of refinement. A classical compound used since the Tang dynasty to describe fine craftsmanship.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal