Chinese word

精神

Pronunciation

Pinyinjīng shén

Meaning

  • nounspirit

Example

他精神不太好，需要休息。tā jīng shén bú tài hǎo xū yào xiū xī

He is not in very good spirits and needs to rest.

Illustration for 精神 (spirit)

More examples

开会时，他能很好地集中精神听别人发言。kāi huì shí tā néng hěn hǎo dì jí zhōng jīng shén tīng bié rén fā yán

During meetings, he can concentrate well and listen to others speak.

Core concept

The unseen strength behind a person's alert mind, emotional life, and determination.

Common phrases

  • 提不起精神tí bù qǐ jīng shén

    lack energy

  • 集中精神jí zhōng jīng shén

    concentrate one's mind

Similar words

心情xīn qíng: A person's mood and feelings at a particular moment.
心xīn: The inner center of a person's feelings and thoughts.

Definition in Chinese

指人的内在意识、意志和情感的状态与活力。zhǐ rén de nèi zài yì shí yì zhì hé qíng gǎn de zhuàng tài yǔ huó lì

Word origin

The compound 精 (jīng, "essence") + 神 (shén, "spirit or mind") presents mental life as the essential inner force that gives a person vitality and resolve.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Chinese, 精神 (jīngshén, "spirit") can change with sleep, stress, or illness, so it often describes a temporary condition rather than a fixed personality trait.

Other meanings

  • energynoun
  • mental statenoun

Related words

  • 精神压力jīng shén yā lìmental stressnoun

Word lists with this word