精 means “refined, spirit, energy”

せい · sei

Also: ghost, fairy

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

しらげる, くわしい

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

セイ, ショウ

JLPT N3 · Taught in grade 5 · 14 strokes

The story

Rice (米) polished until it gleams fresh (青): 精 is what remains once everything rough is stripped away. Sake brewers grind each grain down (精米) for a purer taste, and 精神 is the human spirit.

Used in 精神 (seishin, spirit/mind), 精一杯 (seiippai, as hard as one can), and 精米 (seimai, rice polishing)

More from Spirit & Being

• 絶 cut off
• 願 wish
• 現 appear
• 在 be located
• 容 contain
• 状 condition
• 神 god
• 福 fortune
• 存 exist

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Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.