精益求精

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: jīng yì qiú jīng
• English Translation: Constantly striving for perfection (to improve even when already excellent)
• Idiom Composition: 「精」（Refined, excellent, or precise (referring to an already high standard).）＋「益」（Increasingly, more, or further (used here as an adverb).）＋「求」（To seek, to pursue, or to strive for.）＋「精」（Even greater refinement or perfection.）
• Meaning: To strive for even greater perfection in something that is already of a high standard. It describes a professional attitude of never being satisfied with the status quo and constantly seeking to refine one's skills, knowledge, or product quality.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「精益求精」 contains the following nuances:

• The Grammatical Role of 益 (yì): In this idiom, 益 (yì) does not mean 'profit' or 'benefit.' Instead, it functions as an adverb meaning 'increasingly' or 'more.' The structure literally means 'having reached refinement (精), one increasingly (益) seeks (求) further refinement (精).'
• A Professional Philosophy: The idiom goes beyond simple hard work. It emphasizes a 'professional attitude' where the current 'good' state is merely a starting point for pursuing an infinite 'best.' It is the opposite of being complacent.

3. Usage

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

• Praising Craftsmanship or Skill: Used to commend artisans, engineers, or artists who refuse to compromise and continuously polish their techniques.
  • Example:「这家老店的厨师对每一道菜都精益求精，力求呈现最完美的味道。」
    （The chef at this long-established restaurant constantly strives for perfection with every dish, seeking to present the most perfect flavor.）
• Product Development and Quality Control: Frequently used in business contexts to describe a company's commitment to quality and attention to detail.
  • Example:「为了满足用户的需求，我们的研发团队在细节上精益求精。」
    （To meet user needs, our R&D team pays meticulous attention to every detail to ensure the highest quality.）
• Learning and Self-Improvement: Describes an attitude in academics or skill acquisition where one is not satisfied with current success and continues to push further.
  • Example:「虽然他的钢琴已经弹得很好了，但他依然精益求精，每天坚持练习。」
    （Although he already plays the piano very well, he continues to strive for even greater excellence by practicing every day.）

Additional Examples:

1. 这种精益求精的工匠精神值得我们每个人学习。
   （This kind of spirit of constant improvement in craftsmanship is something we should all learn from.）
2. 他在学术研究上精益求精，从不放过任何一个疑点。
   （He strives for absolute perfection in his academic research, never overlooking a single doubt.）
3. 只有对产品质量精益求精，才能在激烈的市场竞争中生存。
   （Only by constantly seeking to improve product quality can one survive in the fierce market competition.）
4. 对于这篇演讲稿，他修改了很多遍，真是精益求精。
   （He revised this speech draft many times; he truly never settles for anything less than the best.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Origin: This idiom is derived from a commentary by the Song Dynasty scholar Zhu Xi (朱熹) on the Analects (论语). In the 'Xue Er' (学而) chapter, Confucius (孔子) describes self-cultivation as being 'like cutting, like filing, like carving, like polishing.' Zhu Xi explained this process as 'having already made it refined, yet seeking to make it even more refined' (治之已精，而益求其精也).
• Modern Context: In contemporary China, 精益求精 (jīng yì qiú jīng) is almost always associated with the 'Craftsman Spirit' (工匠精神). It is a popular slogan used by the government and industries to encourage high-end manufacturing and superior service quality.
• Mao Zedong's Influence: The idiom gained massive popularity after Mao Zedong (毛泽东) used it in his famous essay 'In Memory of Norman Bethune' (纪念白求恩) to praise the Canadian doctor's absolute dedication to his medical craft.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 锦上添花 (jǐn shàng tiān huā): Literally 'adding flowers to brocade'; making something that is already good even better.
  • 千锤百炼 (qiān chuí bǎi liàn): Literally 'tempered a thousand times'; to refine a work or skill through rigorous and repeated practice.
  • 至善至美 (zhì shàn zhì měi): Reaching the highest level of goodness and beauty.link
  • 锲而不舍 (qiè ér bù shě): To persevere unremittingly.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 粗制滥造 (cū zhì làn zào): To manufacture in a slipshod manner; producing poor quality work without care.
  • 得过且过 (dé guò qiě guò): To muddle through; being satisfied with the status quo and having no ambition to improve.link
  • 浅尝辄止 (qiǎn cháng zhé zhǐ): To stop after a slight attempt or taste.link

6. Summary

精益求精 (jīng yì qiú jīng) represents an insatiable drive for excellence. It is a highly positive idiom used to praise the 'craftsman spirit' in professionals, engineers, and scholars. Rather than simply 'working hard,' it emphasizes the mindset of not settling for 'good enough' and continuously polishing one's work to reach the absolute best possible state.