味精
wèi jīng · HSK 7
glutamate
🍜🧂 味精 = 味 flavour + 精 essence; the essence-of-flavour powder = MSG
味 means taste or flavour and 精 means essence or refined extract. Together they name the refined flavour-essence stirred into soups and stir-fries: monosodium glutamate.
精 — rice 米 + blue/green 青 (phonetic)
A semantic-phonetic compound: 米 (rice) gives the meaning, while 青 supplies the sound. Originally referred to polished, refined rice — grain with the husk removed. The sense broadened to 'refined, pure, essence,' and later 'fine, skilled, spirit.'