精干 (jīng gàn) — (stative verb) (of a person) keen-witted, capable; sharp; (stative verb) (of troops or organizations) elite, crack, highly efficient

Definition

Combines mental sharpness with practical efficiency — used for people, teams, or troops who are both clever and highly capable. Less common than 能干 (simply 'capable, competent'); emphasizes elite quality over everyday ability.

adjective
(stative verb) (of a person) keen-wittedcapablesharp(stative verb) (of troops or organizations) elitecrackhighly efficient

Examples

  • 精干，。
    Zhè zhī jūn duì fēi cháng jīng gàn, xíng dòng xùn sù.
    This army is very crack and acts quickly.
  • 精干，。
    Tā shì yí wèi jīng gàn de jīng lǐ, zuò shì hěn kuài.
    He is a sharp and capable manager who works very fast.
  • 精干，。
    Zhè ge tuán duì jīng gàn yòu yǒu néng lì, zhí dé xìn lài.
    This team is capable and competent, trustworthy.

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jīngkeen
干gāncapable

精 gives keenness, 干 capability: sharp and capable.

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 →

The simplified 干 stands for more than one traditional character. In most words (饼干, 干杯) it is 乾; in others (干, 干活儿) (干扰) it is 幹 or 干.

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 乾; 干 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
乙乙yǐ
Sound part声符shēngfú
倝
倝gàn乾gān
Same sound today
Open 干 →

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