English Reference

Word

jing

/ˈdʒɪŋ/

Definition

n. the basic energy or life force in your body, according to traditional Chinese medicine. It is often linked to your health and the energy you are born with.

n. the essential life force or 'essence' in traditional Chinese medicine, considered one of the Three Treasures. It is typically described as a substance stored in the kidneys that governs growth, reproduction, and long-term vitality.

Examples

“He practices qigong to help preserve his jing.”

“In traditional Chinese medicine, practitioners believe that a lack of jing can lead to premature aging and fatigue.”

“The internal martial arts emphasize the transformation of jing into qi, suggesting that physical essence can be refined into a more subtle form of energy through disciplined practice.”

Examples

simple

“He practices qigong to help preserve his jing.”

contextual

“In traditional Chinese medicine, practitioners believe that a lack of jing can lead to premature aging and fatigue.”

complex

“The internal martial arts emphasize the transformation of jing into qi, suggesting that physical essence can be refined into a more subtle form of energy through disciplined practice.”

Usage

Often appears in the context of traditional Chinese medicine, martial arts, or Taoist philosophy.

Etymology

From Chinese 精 (jīng, “essence”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Level
C2 · Proficiency
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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English Reference