精悍

• Reading: せいかん
• Romaji: seikan
• Kanji breakdown: 精 (sei) — refined, spirited, precise; 悍 (kan) — fierce, bold, spirited
• Pronunciation: /seː.kaɴ/

Meaning

Tough; spirited; sharp-featured; keenly focused. Describes a face or bearing that conveys fierce determination, alertness, and vitality.

A na-adjective primarily used to describe the physical appearance or bearing of a person, especially a man, suggesting sharpness, toughness, and intensity of spirit. 精悍な顔つき (sharp, tough-looking face) is the defining collocation. It implies not just physical toughness but an internal focus and drive that shows through the face or posture. Common in sports commentary, literary character portraits, and journalism.

Examples

1. 長い遠征を終えた登山家の精悍な顔つきが、その壮絶な経験を物語っていた。 The mountaineer's sharp, tough-looking face after his long expedition spoke volumes about the extreme ordeal he had endured.
2. 若い頃は細身だったが、厳しい訓練を重ねて精悍な体つきへと変わっていった。 He had been slender in his youth, but gruelling training transformed him into someone with a lean, sharply defined physique.
3. 精悍な目つきで立つその警察官の存在感は、不審者を寄せ付けなかった。 The commanding presence of the police officer, standing with an intense, focused gaze, was enough to deter anyone suspicious.

Usage Guide

Context: physical description, sports, military, literature

Tone: positive

Origin & History

Compound of 精 (sei, refined/spirited) and 悍 (kan, fierce/bold). The character 悍 originally described a spirited horse that is difficult to control, adding connotations of fierce energy to the compound. Widely used in literary and journalistic registers.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal