noun
Common in idioms such as 精が出る, 精を出す, and 精がつく, referring to physical or mental energy for work or activity.
最近、仕事に精が出ない。
Lately I can't put much energy into work.
栄養のあるものを食べると精がつく。
Eating nutritious food gives you strength.
noun
Used for a supernatural or mythic spirit inhabiting nature or a place, as in 森の精 or 水の精.
森の精が少女の前に現れた。
A forest spirit appeared before the girl.
noun
fine detail; fineness
Limited and somewhat academic or literary as an independent idea; most naturally seen in compounds or contrasts such as 精粗, meaning fineness versus roughness of detail.
資料によって記述の精粗に差がある。
The level of detail in the descriptions varies depending on the source.
noun
Rare as a standalone modern word; more commonly expressed as 精液. This use appears in medical, reproductive, or older contexts.
See also: 精液
古い医学的な文脈では、「精」が精液を指すことがある。
In older medical contexts, 精 can refer to semen.
A much more everyday word for being energetic, healthy, or cheerful; 精 is more often used in fixed expressions for vigor.
Means fairy or elf; 精 alone can mean a spirit or sprite, especially in nature-related expressions.
The normal explicit modern term for semen; 精 with this meaning is shorter and more limited in use.
Sino-Japanese reading せい of the kanji 精. The spelling is conventionally associated with refined essence, spirit, vigor, and related biological senses; no detailed historical derivation is specified.