精英
jīngyīng
The English word "elite" can be translated into Chinese as 精英 (jīngyīng).
精英 is used as a noun to refer to a group of people with higher status, or as an adjective to describe someone or something of high birth or social position.
Meaning: group with higher status (noun)
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
jīngyīng
Did you know?
- Chinese has a specific term 寒门贵子 to describe an 'elite' person who rose from a poor family, literally meaning 'a noble son from a cold gate'.
- In modern Chinese internet slang, adding 精英 to a description can sometimes be used sarcastically to mock someone who is acting overly pretentious or condescending.
- The character 精 (jīng) means 'essence' or 'pure', while 英 (yīng) can mean 'hero' or 'flower'. Together they literally suggest the 'essence of heroes'.
Examples in context
- 他是个有才华的精英。He is a talented elite.
- 他们是本领出众的英杰。They are outstanding elites.
- 这个团队里有不少强者。There are many elites in this team.
- 這所學校專門培養社會精英。Zhè suǒ xuéxiào zhuānmén péiyǎng shèhuì jīngyīng.This school specializes in cultivating social elites.
- 他們是這個行業的精英。Tāmen shì zhège hángyè de jīngyīng.They are the elites of this industry.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their career goals in a coffee shop.
- 俊杰 Junjie我想成為行業精英。Wǒ xiǎng chéngwéi hángyè jīngyīng.I want to become an industry elite.
- 佳怡 Jiayi俊杰，你的目標很高。Jùnjié, nǐ de mùbiāo hěn gāo.Junjie, your goal is very high.
- 俊杰 Junjie如果不努力，怎麼可能成功呢？Rúguǒ bù nǔlì, zěnme kěnéng chénggōng ne?If I don't work hard, how can I succeed?
- 佳怡 Jiayi我支持你的努力。Wǒ zhīchí nǐ de nǔlì.I support your hard work.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “elite” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
