Learn a Chinese Character - 精

1. Character Basics

Radical: 米/mǐ (rice radical)

Stroke Count: 14

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: jīng (first tone)

3. Meaning

Essence, spirit, refined, precise, skilled, intelligent

4. Common Words

• 精神 (jīng shén) - spirit, mind, energy
• 精力 (jīng lì) - energy, vitality
• 精华 (jīng huá) - essence, cream, best part
• 精确 (jīng què) - precise, accurate
• 精通 (jīng tōng) - proficient, master, expert in
• 精心 (jīng xīn) - carefully, elaborately, with great care

5. Grammar & Usage

Part of Speech: Can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb depending on context

Usage Patterns:

• 作为名词: 精神 (jīng shén) - spirit, mind; 精力 (jīng lì) - energy
• 作为形容词: 精确 (jīng què) - precise; 精美 (jīng měi) - exquisite
• 作为副词: 精心 (jīng xīn) - carefully; 精确地 (jīng què de) - precisely
• 与其他字组合: 精通 (jīng tōng) - proficient in; 精华 (jīng huá) - essence
• 成语用法: 精益求精 (jīng yì qiú jīng) - to strive for perfection; 精神抖擞 (jīng shén dǒu sǒu) - energetic, spirited

Note: "精" has multiple meanings, but all relate to the idea of something being of high quality, concentrated, or excellent.

6. Cultural Background

Philosophical Concepts: In Chinese philosophy, especially in Daoism, "精" (essence) is considered one of the three fundamental elements of human life, along with "气" (vital energy) and "神" (spirit).

Traditional Medicine: Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes preserving and nourishing the body's "精" (essence) as essential for health and longevity.

Cultural Values: The Chinese cultural emphasis on precision and excellence is reflected in words containing "精", such as "精益求精" (striving for perfection).

Literary Tradition: Classical Chinese literature often uses "精" to describe something refined, profound, or of the highest quality, whether it's writing, art, or thought.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

Character Breakdown: "精" is composed of "米" (mǐ, rice radical) on the left and "青" (qīng) on the right.

Visual Association: The left part "米" (rice) suggests something that is refined or processed. The right part "青" (blue/green) provides the pronunciation.

Mnemonic Device: Imagine the finest, most refined (精) rice (米) that has a bright, clear (青) quality to it - this represents the essence of something excellent.

Word Association: Connect "精" with common words like "精神" (jīng shén, spirit/energy) or "精确" (jīng què, precise) to help remember its various meanings related to quality and excellence.