Common in idioms such as 精が出る, 精を出す, and 精がつく, referring to physical or mental energy for work or activity.
It's said that eating eel gives you energy.
Lately I can't put much energy into work.
Eating nutritious food gives you strength.
Used for a supernatural or mythic spirit inhabiting nature or a place, as in 森の精 or 水の精.
A forest spirit appeared before the girl.
fine detail; fineness
Limited and somewhat academic or literary as an independent idea; most naturally seen in compounds or contrasts such as 精粗, meaning fineness versus roughness of detail.
The level of detail in the descriptions varies depending on the source.
Rare as a standalone modern word; more commonly expressed as 精液. This use appears in medical, reproductive, or older contexts.
See also: 精液
In older medical contexts, 精 can refer to semen.
He's been putting a lot of energy into his work lately.
精液 is the standard modern medical term for semen, while 精 used alone in this sense is rare and mostly literary or archaic.
mind; spirit; psyche · attitude; mentality; will · spirit (of a matter); essence; fundamental significance
fairy; sprite; elf
precision; accuracy
one's best; the best one can do · with all one's might; as hard as possible
at most; at best; only · as much as possible; to the utmost
Attested high-priority kanji form. The word is often encountered in fixed expressions and compounds as well as in short noun uses.
Sino-Japanese reading せい of the kanji 精. The spelling is conventionally associated with refined essence, spirit, vigor, and related biological senses; no detailed historical derivation is specified.
elite; best; pick; cream of the crop
close investigation; careful examination; scrutiny
exact calculation; adjustment of accounts; settlement
fertilization; insemination; pollination
elaborate; exquisite; delicate
rice polishing; polished rice
essential oil; volatile oil · refined oil
quality meat; processed meat; smallgoods
wet dream; nocturnal emission
detailed; meticulous; fine; minute
delicate; minute; fine; detailed; subtle
testicle; testis
essence; quintessence; flower; glory
refining; smelting · training; drilling; polishing (skills)
precision machinery; precision equipment
eye strain; asthenopia
sharp and virile; tough-looking; masculine
careful selection; handpicked; choice
brilliance; luster; colorfulness · vividness; life
spirit; life energy; vitality; essence
careful reading; close reading; intensive reading