精 (jīng) — skilled; proficient; refined (of ability); excellent; elite; top-quality
Definition
Here 精 (jīng) means 'highly skilled, top-quality' — often a standalone adjective or before a noun (精品). Unlike 熟练 (practiced through experience) or 精致 (refined in craft/detail), 精 emphasizes excellence in ability or product quality.
adjective
skilledproficientrefined (of ability)excellentelitetop-quality
Examples
- 精。Tā de shū fǎ hěn jīng.His calligraphy is very skilled.
- 。Zhè jiā diàn zhī mài jīng pǐn.This shop only sells top-quality goods.
- 精。Tā duì zhè mén xué wèn hěn jīng.He is very proficient in this field of study.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
精 pairs 米 (rice) with 青, which gives the sound; the character originally meant polished rice.
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