精巧 (jīng qiǎo) — exquisite; delicate; fine; intricate (of craftsmanship, design, or small objects)

Definition

Highlights clever, skillful design in small objects or crafts — 精致 leans toward refined finish, 精妙 toward artistic brilliance. 娇气 is unrelated (means 'finicky/fragile', of a person).

adjective
exquisitedelicatefineintricate (of craftsmanship, design, or small objects)

Examples

  • 精巧,。
    Zhè jiàn gōng yì pǐn zuò dé fēi cháng jīng qiǎo, měi yí gè xì jié dōu hěn wán měi.
    This craft item is made very exquisite; every detail is perfect.
  • 精巧,。
    Tā de cì xiù jīng qiǎo dé ràng rén jīng tàn, měi yì zhēn dōu qià dào hǎo chù.
    Her embroidery is so exquisite it amazes people; every stitch is just right.
  • ,精巧。
    Zhè ge mù diāo zào xíng suī rán jiǎn dān, dàn zuò gōng shí fēn jīng qiǎo.
    Although the shape of this wood carving is simple, the craftsmanship is very exquisite.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

巧qiǎoskillful

“精” means fine or exquisite, and “巧” means skillful; together they describe delicate, ingenious work.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
米米mǐrice
Sound part声符shēngfú
青
青qīng精jīng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

精 pairs 米 (rice) with 青, which gives the sound; the character originally meant polished rice.

Open 精 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
Sound part声符shēngfú
丂
丂kǎo巧qiǎo
Same sound today

巧 is made of 工 and 丂; 工 points to its meaning, and 丂 points to its sound.

Open 巧 →

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