jīngmíng: 精明 - Shrewd, Astute, Canny

• Keywords: jīngmíng, 精明, Chinese for shrewd, Chinese for astute, what does jingming mean, canny in Chinese, sharp-witted, business savvy, street smarts in Chinese, 精明 vs 聪明, 精明 vs 狡猾
• Summary: Learn the meaning of jīngmíng (精明), a key Chinese adjective describing someone who is shrewd, astute, and sharp, particularly in practical matters like business, finance, or negotiations. This guide explores its cultural context, distinguishing it from general intelligence (`聪明`) and negative cunning (`狡猾`), and provides numerous examples to show you how to use it like a native speaker.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jīngmíng
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To be shrewd, astute, or sharp, especially in calculating and protecting one's own interests.
• In a Nutshell: `精明` describes a type of practical, “street-smart” intelligence. It's not about being a genius in a classroom, but about being sharp-witted and perceptive in real-world situations. A `精明` person is a savvy operator who understands details, foresees consequences, and makes decisions that are to their advantage. It is often a compliment for someone who is good with money, a skilled negotiator, or simply someone who won't be easily fooled.

• 精 (jīng): This character means “essence,” “refined,” “spirit,” or “proficient.” It implies a concentrated, pure, and high-quality state. Think of it as getting to the very core of something.
• 明 (míng): This character means “bright,” “light,” or “clear.” It relates to vision, understanding, and clarity of thought.
• Together, 精 (refined essence) + 明 (clear understanding) paints a picture of someone whose mind is both sharp and clear. They have the ability to see the “essence” of a situation with perfect “clarity,” allowing them to be perceptive, calculating, and ultimately, shrewd.

In Chinese culture, pragmatism and resourcefulness are highly valued traits. Being `精明` is often seen as a necessary skill for navigating a complex and competitive society. It's the ability to “精打细算 (jīng dǎ xì suàn)“—to budget and calculate meticulously—which has historically been crucial for family and business success. A good Western comparison for `精明` is “business savvy” or “astute.” Like these terms, `精明` is generally a compliment. However, it's important to distinguish it from the English word “cunning.” While a `精明` person is clever, the term doesn't inherently carry the negative connotation of deceit that “cunning” often does. The Chinese word for that is `狡猾 (jiǎohuá)`. A `精明` shopkeeper gives you a fair but firm price after shrewd negotiation; a `狡猾` shopkeeper tricks you into buying a fake product. Being `精明` is about protecting your interests with intelligence, not harming others with deceit.

`精明` is a common and useful adjective in many modern contexts.

• In Business and Negotiations: It is high praise for a boss, colleague, or client. Describing someone as `精明` implies they are a sharp negotiator, a wise investor, and not someone you can easily take advantage of.
• In Daily Life: It's used for people who are skilled at managing household finances, finding the best deals while shopping, or avoiding scams. An auntie who always gets the best price at the wet market is very `精明`.
• Connotation Shift: While mostly positive or neutral, the connotation can become slightly negative if it implies someone is *excessively* calculating to the point of being selfish. Saying “他太精明了 (tā tài jīngmíng le)“—”He's too shrewd”—can suggest that he always puts his own interests first, even at the expense of others. The tone of voice and context are key.

• Example 1:
  • 他是一个非常精明的商人，从不做亏本的买卖。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì yīgè fēicháng jīngmíng de shāngrén, cóng bù zuò kuīběn de mǎimài.
  • English: He is a very shrewd businessman; he never makes a loss-making deal.
  • Analysis: This is a classic, positive use of `精明` to praise someone's business acumen.
• Example 2:
  • 我妈妈很精明，总能买到物美价廉的东西。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ māma hěn jīngmíng, zǒng néng mǎidào wùměi jiàlián de dōngxi.
  • English: My mom is very canny; she can always buy things that are good quality and cheap.
  • Analysis: This shows `精明` used in a daily-life context to describe a savvy consumer.
• Example 3:
  • 他这个人太精明了，跟他合作你一定要小心。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhège rén tài jīngmíng le, gēn tā hézuò nǐ yīdìng yào xiǎoxīn.
  • English: This person is too shrewd; you must be careful when cooperating with him.
  • Analysis: Here, the word “太 (tài)” gives `精明` a negative flavor, implying the person is calculating and potentially untrustworthy.
• Example 4:
  • 她年纪轻轻，但眼神里透着一股精明。
  • Pinyin: Tā niánjì qīngqīng, dàn yǎnshén lǐ tòuzhe yī gǔ jīngmíng.
  • English: She is young, but her eyes reveal a sharp astuteness.
  • Analysis: `精明` can be used to describe a person's appearance or demeanor, suggesting an inner intelligence.
• Example 5:
  • 在这次谈判中，我们的律师表现得非常精明。
  • Pinyin: Zài zhè cì tánpàn zhōng, wǒmen de lǜshī biǎoxiàn dé fēicháng jīngmíng.
  • English: Our lawyer performed very astutely during this negotiation.
  • Analysis: This highlights the strategic and sharp-witted aspect of `精明` in a professional setting.
• Example 6:
  • 老一辈的人在花钱方面都很精明，从不浪费。
  • Pinyin: Lǎo yī bèi de rén zài huāqián fāngmiàn dōu hěn jīngmíng, cóng bù làngfèi.
  • English: The older generation is very shrewd when it comes to spending money; they never waste it.
  • Analysis: This connects `精明` with the cultural value of being frugal and resourceful.
• Example 7:
  • 别看他平时不爱说话，其实他精明得很。
  • Pinyin: Bié kàn tā píngshí bù ài shuōhuà, qíshí tā jīngmíng de hěn.
  • English: Don't be fooled by his usual quietness; he is actually very sharp.
  • Analysis: This usage shows that `精明` is about inner mental acuity, not necessarily outward appearance.
• Example 8:
  • 这是一个非常精明的商业决策。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shì yīgè fēicháng jīngmíng de shāngyè juécè.
  • English: This is a very astute business decision.
  • Analysis: `精明` can describe not just people, but also their actions, plans, or decisions.
• Example 9:
  • 在这个复杂的社会里，你得学着精明一点，不然容易吃亏。
  • Pinyin: Zài zhège fùzá de shèhuì lǐ, nǐ děi xuézhe jīngmíng yīdiǎn, bùrán róngyì chīkuī.
  • English: In this complicated society, you have to learn to be a bit more shrewd, otherwise you will easily suffer losses.
  • Analysis: This sentence frames `精明` as a necessary survival skill. “吃亏 (chīkuī)” means to suffer a loss or be at a disadvantage.
• Example 10:
  • 他的精明能干是公司里出了名的。
  • Pinyin: Tā de jīngmíng nénggàn shì gōngsī lǐ chūle míng de.
  • English: His astuteness and competence are well-known in the company.
  • Analysis: `精明能干 (jīngmíng nénggàn)` is a common four-character phrase meaning “astute and capable,” a strong compliment for an employee or manager.

• `精明 (jīngmíng)` vs. `聪明 (cōngming)`: This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
  • `聪明 (cōngming)` means “intelligent” or “smart” in a general sense. It can refer to academic intelligence, a quick learner, or general cleverness.
  • `精明 (jīngmíng)` is specifically about practical, strategic intelligence used for one's benefit.
  • Example: A brilliant physics professor is very `聪明`, but he might be naive about business and not at all `精明`. A street vendor with little formal education can be extremely `精明` in how he runs his stall.
• `精明 (jīngmíng)` vs. `狡猾 (jiǎohuá)`: This is the crucial distinction between positive shrewdness and negative cunning.
  • `精明` is about using one's intelligence to be effective and protect one's interests, which is generally respected.
  • `狡猾 (jiǎohuá)` means “sly,” “crafty,” or “cunning.” It implies using intelligence for deceit, trickery, and dishonest gain. It is always a negative criticism.
  • Incorrect Usage: If a shopkeeper tricks you, you should not say “他很精明 (tā hěn jīngmíng)”. The correct word is “他很狡猾 (tā hěn jiǎohuá)”.

• `聪明 (cōngming)` - “Smart” or “intelligent.” A broader, more general term than `精明`.
• `狡猾 (jiǎohuá)` - Cunning, sly, crafty. The negative counterpart to `精明`, implying deceit.
• `能干 (nénggàn)` - Capable, competent. Describes the ability to get things done effectively. Often paired with `精明` as in `精明能干`.
• `老练 (lǎoliàn)` - Seasoned, experienced, worldly-wise. A person who is `老练` has often become `精明` through experience.
• `智慧 (zhìhuì)` - Wisdom. A much deeper and more profound concept than `精明`, related to life philosophy and broad understanding, not just practical calculation.
• `精打细算 (jīng dǎ xì suàn)` - A chengyu (idiom) meaning “to calculate meticulously.” This is the characteristic action of a `精明` person, especially regarding finances.
• `有心计 (yǒu xīnjì)` - To be calculating or scheming. This term is more negative than `精明` and closer to `狡猾`, implying that someone is secretly planning things for their own benefit.
• `算计 (suànjì)` - (v.) To calculate; to scheme against someone. This verb can describe the mental process of being `精明`, but when used against a person (“算计别人”), it is highly negative.