精壮 (jīng zhuàng) — strong and robust; physically fit (of a person)

Definition

Literary/formal adjective for a person who is physically strong and powerfully built — emphasizes a fit, muscular physique more than general health. Pairs naturally with 有力; more written than 健壮.

adjective
strong and robustphysically fit (of a person)

Examples

  • 精壮，。
    Tā nián qīng shí shēn tǐ fēi cháng jīng zhuàng, xiàn zài dà bù rú qián le.
    He was very strong and robust when he was young, but not anymore.
  • 精壮，。
    Zhè xiē zhàn shì gè gè jīng zhuàng yǒu lì, xùn liàn yǒu sù.
    These soldiers are all strong and well-trained.
  • 精壮。
    Cháng qī de tǐ lì láo dòng ràng tā biàn de shí fēn jīng zhuàng.
    Long-term physical labor made him very strong and robust.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

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

精jīngvigorous
壮zhuàngstrong

'精' (vigorous) and '壮' (strong) together describe a robust build.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 壯; 壮 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
士士shì
Sound part声符shēngfú
爿
爿pán壯zhuàng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 壯 uses 士 to hint at the meaning and 爿 for the sound; the simplified 壮 is a later abbreviation.

Open 壮 →

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