Definition
精 (jīng) as an adjective means 'skilled, refined, or top-quality,' often implying mastery and refinement. It is stronger than 熟练 (shúliàn, skilled through practice) and broader than 精致 (jīngzhì, which specifically describes delicate objects). For 'elite' as an adjective (e.g., 精兵), 精 is used, while 精英 is a noun referring to elite people.
adjective
skilledproficientrefined (of ability)excellentelitetop-quality
Easily confused
- 晴qínglook-alikeclear, fine (weather)
- 经jīngsound-aliketo pass through; to go through (a place, time, or experience)
- 请qǐnglook-aliketo ask politely, to request
- 敬jìngsound-aliketo respect, to show respect to
- 猜cāilook-aliketo guess
- 静jìngsound-alikestill, calm, quiet; not moving
- 清qīnglook-alike(adjective) clear, clean, pure (of water, air, mind, sound)
- 井jǐngsound-alikewell (water well)
- 竟jìngsound-alikeunexpectedly, actually (expressing surprise that something happened or is the case)
- 净jìngsound-alike(adjective) clean
Examples
- 精。Tā de shūfǎ hěn jīng.His calligraphy is very skilled.
- 。Zhè jiā diàn zhǐ mài jīngpǐn.This shop only sells top-quality goods.
- 精。Tā duì zhè mén xuéwèn hěn jīng.He is very proficient in this field of study.
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