精
refined, ghost, fairy, energy, vitality, semen, excellence, purity, skill
Readings
On'yomi
- セイ
- ショウ
Kun'yomi
- しら.げる
- くわ.しい
Nanori
- きよ
Meaning
精 centers on the idea of something being refined to its purest, most essential form. This core of purity and excellence extends naturally to concentrated energy, vitality, and even spiritual essences like ghosts or fairies, as well as the refined skill of a master.
Most common words using 精
24 of 439- 精神せいしんN3
mind; spirit; soul; heart; ethos
- 妖精ようせい
fairy; sprite; elf
- 射精しゃせい
ejaculation
- 精子せいし
sperm; spermatozoon
- 精度せいど
precision; accuracy
- 精せい
spirit; sprite; nymph
- 精一杯せいいっぱいN2
the best one can do; one's best effort
- 精々せいぜいN3
at the most; at best
- 精密せいみつN1
precise; exact; detailed; accurate; minute; close
- 精液せいえき
semen; seminal fluid; sperm
- 精力せいりょく
energy; vigor; vigour; vitality
- 精通せいつうN1
being well versed (in); being well acquainted (with); being familiar (with); having a thorough knowledge (of); being an authority (on)
- 精製せいせい
refining; purification
- 精進しょうじん
concentration; diligence; devotion
- 精鋭せいえい
elite; best; pick; cream of the crop
- 精算せいさんN3
exact calculation; squaring of accounts; adjustment
- 受精じゅせい
fertilization; fertilisation; impregnation; pollination; insemination
- 精巧せいこうN1
elaborate; delicate; exquisite
- 精米せいまい
rice polishing; polished rice
- 受精卵じゅせいらん
fertilized egg; fertilised egg
- 無精ぶしょう
indolence; laziness; sloth
- 精選せいせん
careful selection
- 精彩せいさい
brilliance; luster; lustre; colorfulness; colourfulness
- 丹精たんせい
working earnestly; sincerity; diligence; effort; pains
Study
Etymology
精 combines 米 (rice) with 青, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of purity or essence. The character originally referred to polished, pure rice, and from there extended to refined essence, energy, and spirit.
Meaning mnemonic
Rice (米) that is as clear and pure as the blue (青) sky has been refined to its essence. This pure, refined rice represents the core idea of 精: something concentrated and excellent, like pure energy or a master's skill.
Reading mnemonic
For セイ, imagine a master chef saying 'say' (セイ) as he presents a bowl of perfectly refined, pure white rice: 'Say' -> セイ, the essence of his skill.