精益求精

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: jīng yì qiú jīng
• English Translation: To seek continuous improvement beyond excellence; to pursue perfection; to always strive for a higher level.
• Idiom Composition: 「精」（Excellent, refined）＋「益」（Increasingly, more and more）＋「求」（To seek, to pursue）＋「精」（Excellent, refined）
• Meaning: The effort to make something already excellent even better. It expresses the attitude of not being satisfied with the current state and continuously striving for a higher level.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「精益求精」 contains the following nuances:

• Ambition for improvement: Expresses a strong ambition to improve, never being satisfied with the current state and always aiming for better.
• Perfectionism: Indicates a pursuit of perfection and meticulous attention to detail.
• Continuous effort: Means sustained effort over a long period, not just temporary attempts.
• Commitment to quality: Also used to express a strong commitment to improving the quality of products or services.

3. Usage

「精益求精」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Attitude towards work and study: Used to praise the attitude of striving for improvement in work or study.
  • Example:「他在工作中精益求精，不断提高自己的专业技能。」
    （He strives for continuous improvement in his work, constantly enhancing his professional skills.）
• Quality of products and services: Used to describe very high quality of products or services.
  • Example:「这家公司以精益求精的精神，打造出了一系列高品质的产品。」
    （This company, with a spirit of pursuing perfection, has created a series of high-quality products.）
• Pursuit of art and skill: Also used to describe artists or technicians striving for higher levels.
  • Example:「这位钢琴家对自己的演奏精益求精，每一次演出都力求完美。」
    （This pianist pursues perfection in his performances, striving for flawless shows every time.）

Additional Examples:

1. 作为一名医生，他始终精益求精，努力提高自己的医术。
   （As a doctor, he always strives for continuous improvement, working hard to enhance his medical skills.）
2. 这家餐厅的厨师对菜品的要求精益求精，每一道菜都像艺术品一样。
   （The chef at this restaurant seeks continuous improvement in dishes, making each one like a work of art.）
3. 在科研领域，只有精益求精，才能取得突破性的成果。
   （In scientific research, only by striving for continuous improvement can breakthrough results be achieved.）
4. 她对自己的作品精益求精，反复修改，直到满意为止。
   （She pursues perfection in her work, revising repeatedly until satisfied.）
5. 我们要以精益求精的态度，为客户提供更优质的服务。
   （We must provide higher quality service to customers with an attitude of striving for continuous improvement.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• In Chinese culture, having ambition for improvement and continuing effort are considered virtues. The idiom '精益求精' reflects these values.
• '精益求精' expresses a commitment to improvement and quality, but excessive perfectionism can lead to stress and burnout. Maintaining balance is important.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 一丝不苟 (yì sī bù gǒu): Being very serious and meticulous, not careless in the slightest.
  • 锲而不舍 (qiè ér bù shě): Persistently making efforts without giving up.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 得过且过 (dé guò qiě guò): Getting by without serious effort; being careless.
  • 敷衍了事 (fū yǎn liǎo shì): Doing things perfunctorily and carelessly.

6. Summary

'精益求精' is an idiom embodying values highly regarded in Chinese culture such as ambition for improvement, perfectionism, continuous effort, and commitment to quality. When using this phrase, it is important to recognize not only the meaning of 'making things better' but also the strong will and effort behind it. Additionally, maintaining balance to avoid excessive perfectionism is essential while striving for higher levels.