Meaning
精神
jīng shén
Spirit, vitality
- 精
- essence, energy
- 神
- spirit, divine
Inner spirit and energy, as in fighting spirit.
Spirit in Chinese
The Chinese word for spirit is 精神 (jīng shén). Inner spirit and energy, as in fighting spirit.
精神
jīng shén
Spirit
What 精神 means.
精 is essence and 神 is spirit, two of the “three treasures” (精气神) of Chinese medicine and Taoism. 精神 is used for a person's inner strength and liveliness.
- 精
- essence, energy
- 神
- spirit, divine
Simplified and traditional
精神
精神
精神 is written the same way in simplified and traditional Chinese, so every Chinese reader recognises it.
Pick the shade of meaning.
Chinese often has more than one word where English has one. Here is how they differ.
Meaning
灵
líng
Spirit
- 灵
- spirit, spiritual, nimble
One character for the spiritual and the quick-witted.
About spirit in Chinese
How do you write spirit in Chinese?
Spirit is 精神 in Chinese, pronounced jīng shén. Spirit, vitality 精 means “essence, energy”, 神 means “spirit, divine”.
How do you pronounce 精神?
Say jīng (first tone, high and level), shén (second tone, rising). Mandarin tones change meaning, so it is worth listening to a native speaker once.
Is 精神 different in traditional Chinese?
No. 精神 is written the same way in simplified and traditional Chinese.
What other Chinese words mean spirit?
灵 (líng): Spirit One character for the spiritual and the quick-witted.
Is 精神 a good Chinese tattoo?
Yes, it is a real, everyday Chinese word rather than a machine translation, so Chinese readers will understand it. Keep the characters in their order, top to bottom or left to right, and never mirrored. Choose a readable style such as Kaishu, bring a clean reference to your artist, and show it to a fluent reader before your appointment.