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讲究 (jiǎng jiu) — (verb) to be particular about, to pay careful attention to; (adjective) exquisite, tastefully chosen

Definition

As a verb, 讲究 means 'to be particular about' (how one does things). As an adjective, it means tastefully done — more everyday than the written 高尚, and more about choice/effort than fine craftsmanship (精致, 精美).

verb
to be particular aboutto pay careful attention to
adjective
exquisitetastefully chosen

Examples

  • 讲究，。
    Tā chuān yī fu hěn jiǎng jiu, zǒng shì dā pèi dé hěn hǎo.
    She is very particular about her clothing; she always matches well.
  • 讲究，。
    Zhè ge huā píng hěn jiǎng jiu, bǎi zài kè tīng hěn piào liang.
    This vase is very tasteful; it looks beautiful in the living room.
  • 讲究，。
    Tā zuò cài hěn jiǎng jiu, měi gè bù zhòu dōu hěn rèn zhēn.
    He is very particular about cooking; every step is done carefully.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

讲jiǎngdiscuss
究jiūinvestigate

讲 means discuss and 究 means investigate; together they suggest careful attention, so to be particular about.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 講; 讲 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yánsay
Sound part声符shēngfú
冓
冓gòu講jiǎng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 講 puts 言, say, beside 冓, which gave it its sound; the simplified 讲 is a later abbreviation.

Open 讲 →

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
穴穴xuécave
Sound part声符shēngfú
九
九jiǔ究jiū
Same sound today

究 pairs 穴, a cave, with 九, which gives the sound.

Open 究 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 5HSK 2.0 Level 5Good & Bad

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