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jīng 精 yì 益 qiú 求 jīng 精

精益求精 jīng yì qiú jīng

to constantly strive for perfection; to keep improving what is already good

Literally: refined further seek refined

Intermediate 📚 Study & effort
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Origin

From Zhu Xi's commentary on the Analects, explaining a line from the Book of Songs about cutting and polishing jade: work that is already fine is refined further.

How to use it

Predicate or attributive; positive. Often 精益求精的精神.

Example sentences

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  1. 这位师傅对自己的作品精益求精，一点儿小问题也不放过。
    Zhè wèi shīfu duì zìjǐ de zuòpǐn jīng yì qiú jīng, yīdiǎnr xiǎo wèntí yě bù fàngguò.
    This craftsman strives for perfection in his work and lets no small flaw slip by.
    this (measure) master toward self (particle) work refined further seek refined, a-little small problem also not let-go
  2. 做翻译要精益求精，不能觉得差不多就行了。
    Zuò fānyì yào jīng yì qiú jīng, bù néng juéde chàbuduō jiù xíng le.
    Translation demands constant refinement; you can't settle for 'good enough'.
    do translation must refined further seek refined, not can feel almost then okay (particle)

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