Meaning
精神 refers to one's mental state, spirit, or vitality. It can describe both abstract concepts like the essence or core meaning of something, and concrete states like being energetic or having good spirits. The word encompasses both psychological well-being and physical energy levels.
Usage
When used as an adjective meaning 'energetic', 精神 typically appears in phrases like 很精神 (very energetic/spirited) or 看起来很精神 (look very energetic). As a noun, it often refers to mental state, morale, or the essential spirit/meaning of something. Common in both casual and formal contexts.
Examples
- 01他今天看起来很精神。.He looks very energetic today.
- 02我们要学习雷锋精神。.We should learn from Lei Feng's spirit.
Characters
Common collocations
- 精神状态mental state
- 精神面貌mental outlook, morale
- 团队精神team spirit
- 精神病mental illness
Antonyms
Origin
Combines 精 (essence, refined) and 神 (spirit, divine), literally meaning 'refined spirit' or 'essential spirit', reflecting the traditional Chinese concept of vital energy and mental essence.