精髓 jīngsuǐ marrow
marrow; pith; quintessence; essence
How to remember 精髓: 精 essence + 髓 marrow = marrow.
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How it is used
- The very essence / heart of a doctrine, art, or culture - 抓住精髓 (zhuāzhù jīngsuǐ) to grasp the essence; 中华文化的精髓.
- More profound/abstract than 精华: 精髓 is the marrow, the core spirit, often of ideas and traditions.
- Written, appreciative register.