精致
jīngzhì · HSK 7
exquisite
💎 精 refined + 致 fineness = refined fineness; exquisite craftsmanship
精 carries the sense of refined or essence (as in 精华), and 致 here means fineness or delicacy. Together they describe something made with refined delicacy, like exquisite, finely-wrought work.
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.'
致 — arrive 至 + strike/go 攵
Originally a compound of 至 (to arrive, showing an arrow reaching the ground) and 攵 (a hand with a stick, indicating action). Together they suggested 'to cause to arrive' or 'to send/deliver,' which broadened into modern senses like 'to send, devote, or bring about.'