精心

jīng xīn

with utmost care

HSK 6

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"精心" means to do something with great care, attention, and meticulous effort. It often describes actions or preparations that are done thoughtfully and thoroughly.

Common Contexts

You will frequently see "精心" used with verbs like "准备" (prepare), "设计" (design), or "制作" (make), emphasizing the careful and detailed nature of the work.

Collocations

  • 精心准备: to prepare meticulously, often for events or presentations.
  • 精心设计: to design carefully, highlighting thoughtful planning.
  • 精心制作: to make something with great care, often used for crafts or artworks.

Nuance

Using "精心" implies not just ordinary effort but a high level of dedication and attention to detail. It is more formal and positive than simply "" and often used in written or formal spoken Chinese.

Common Confusion

Do not confuse "精心" with "". While both imply care, "" can sometimes mean 'to be attentive' or 'to be intentional' and may carry a neutral or even negative connotation depending on context. "精心" is always positive, emphasizing excellence and thoroughness.

Example Sentences

她为这次展览做了精心的准备。

Tā wèi zhè cì zhǎnlǎn zuòle jīngxīn de zhǔnbèi.

She made meticulous preparations for this exhibition.

这本书的插图都是精心绘制的,非常漂亮。

Zhè běn shū de chātú dōu shì jīngxīn huìzhì de, fēicháng piàoliang.

The illustrations in this book are all carefully drawn and very beautiful.

他精心设计了这套课程,确保学生能学到实用知识。

Tā jīngxīn shèjìle zhè tào kèchéng, quèbǎo xuéshēng néng xuédào shíyòng

He carefully designed this course to ensure students learn practical