zing1 jik1 kau4 zing1精益求精
Jyutpingzing1 jik1 kau4 zing1
Yalejīng yīk kàuh jīng
Definition
To strive for perfection; to constantly improve and refine one's work.
neutralworkdescriptions
How it's used
This idiom carries a positive connotation of continuous self-improvement and high standards. It is often used in professional or academic contexts to praise someone who is not satisfied with just being good enough. Unlike simple words for improvement, it emphasizes an ongoing, relentless process of polishing one's work.
Examples
He is very serious about his work and always strives for perfection.
Since it is already done so well, is there still a need to strive for further perfection?
Common phrases
an attitude of striving for perfection
constantly striving for perfection
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple adjective meaning perfect, but it is a verb phrase describing an action or an attitude. It cannot be used to describe an object as perfect; it describes the process of making something better.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
