精 meaning and stroke order
Essence; extract; vitality
How to write 精, stroke by stroke
14 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 精
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- essence
- extract
- vitality
- energy
- semen
- sperm
How 精 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Grain.
米 gives the meaning and 青 hints at the sound.
Radical: 米 (rice), shared by 50 characters on this site.
How to remember 精
精 combines 米 (mǐ, rice grain) with 青 (qīng), which gives the sound. Picture the finest, purest grains picked out from a pile of rice: that refined best part is the essence.
精 rarely stands alone and usually appears in words about essence, energy, or high quality, such as 精神 (jīngshén), 精力 (jīnglì), and 精彩 (jīngcǎi). Example: 这场比赛很精彩。(Zhè chǎng bǐsài hěn jīngcǎi.) This match is really exciting.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 精 with 情 (qíng, feeling) and 清 (qīng, clear), which share the same 青 part. Check the left side: rice 米 for 精, heart 忄 for 情, water 氵 for 清.
Common words with 精
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 精神 | jīngshén | spirit; mind | HSK 3 |
| 精彩 | jīngcǎi | wonderful; marvelous | HSK 3 |
| 精力 | jīnglì | energy (physical or mental) | HSK 4 |
| 精美 | jīngměi | exquisite; elegant; fine | HSK 6 |
| 精品 | jīngpǐn | quality goods; premium product | HSK 6 |
| 精神病 | jīngshénbìng | mental disorder; psychosis | HSK 7-9 |
| 酒精 | jiǔjīng | (coll.) ethanol; ethyl alcohol | HSK 7-9 |
| 精确 | jīngquè | accurate; precise | HSK 7-9 |
| 精英 | jīngyīng | cream; elite | HSK 7-9 |
| 精细 | jīngxì | fine; meticulous | HSK 7-9 |
| 精致 | jīngzhì | delicate; fine; exquisite; refined | HSK 7-9 |
| 精明 | jīngmíng | astute; shrewd; smart | HSK 7-9 |
| 精心 | jīngxīn | with utmost care; fine | HSK 7-9 |
| 精通 | jīngtōng | to be proficient in; to master (a subject) | HSK 7-9 |
精 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Questions about 精
How many strokes are in 精?
精 is written with 14 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 精 mean?
精 (jīng) means essence; extract; vitality. A common word with it is 精神 (jīngshén), meaning "spirit; mind".
How do you pronounce 精?
精 is pronounced jīng, in the first tone (high and level).
What is the radical of 精?
The radical of 精 is 米, which carries the idea of "rice". Dictionaries list 精 under this radical.
Is 精 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 精 is part of the HSK 3 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard, and you are expected to write it by hand from HSK 3.
What is the difference between 精神 and 精力?
精神 (jīngshén) means spirit or mental state, and 有精神 means lively or alert. 精力 (jīnglì) means the amount of physical or mental energy you have, as in 精力充沛 (full of energy).
Does 精 mean semen, and is it awkward to use?
One sense of 精 is semen or sperm, usually in words like 精子 (jīngzǐ). In everyday words like 精彩 or 精美 nobody thinks of that meaning, so you can use them freely.