聚精会神
聚精会神 (jù jīng huì shén) literally means “gather essence meet spirit” and expresses “concentrate fully”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: ju jing hui shen, ju jing hui shen,聚精会神 meaning, 聚精会神 in english
Concentrate fully
Pronunciation: jù jīng huì shén
Literal meaning: Gather essence meet spirit
Origin & Usage
Dating to Daoist meditation manuals from the Han Dynasty, this idiom describes the gathering (聚) of vital essence (精) to commune (会) with spirit (神). Early practitioners believed that scattered attention depleted one's vital energy, while focused concentration could unite body and mind. The concept became central to Chan Buddhist practice during the Tang Dynasty, where masters used it to describe the ideal mental state for meditation. In modern contexts, it describes intense concentration - from athletes in their flow state to researchers tackling complex problems. The idiom suggests that true focus isn't merely about attention, but about gathering one's entire being into a single point of awareness.
Examples
English: "The surgeon focused completely during the complex procedure"
Chinese: 外科医生在复杂手术过程中全神贯注
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 聚精会神 mean in English?
聚精会神 (jù jīng huì shén) literally translates to “Gather essence meet spirit” and is used to express “Concentrate fully”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 聚精会神 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving concentrate fully.
What is the pinyin for 聚精会神?
The pinyin pronunciation for 聚精会神 is “jù jīng huì shén”.