精兵

jīngbīng

noun #34,816

Meanings

1 elite troops; crack soldiers

Characters

soldier, troops

Examples

HSK 7-9

他率领一支精兵奇袭敌营。

Tā shuàilǐng yì zhī jīngbīng qíxí díyíng.

He led a band of elite troops in a surprise raid on the enemy camp.

HSK 7-9

宁要精兵，不要冗员。

Nìng yào jīngbīng, bú yào rǒngyuán.

Better elite troops than redundant staff.

Tips

usage

Often paired in 精兵猛将 (elite troops and fierce generals) or in the phrase 精兵简政, a policy of streamlining the army and government, popularized during the Yan'an period. Modern usage extends to lean, high-quality teams in business.

Stroke Order

精 jīng

兵 bīng