精简 (jīngjiǎn)

精简 means to cut away the unnecessary and keep only what is essential. It is used for streamlining organisations, reducing redundant procedures, or making language more concise. It implies a deliberate, purposeful reduction that improves quality.

Meanings

[verb] to streamline; to trim; to reduce to essentials; to cut back
[adjective] lean; concise; pared down

Example Sentences

政府决定精简行政机构，减少不必要的审批环节，提高办事效率。 Zhèngfǔ juédìng jīngjiǎn xíngzhèng jīgòu, jiǎnshǎo bù bìyào de shěnpī huánjié, tígāo bànshì xiàolǜ. The government decided to streamline administrative bodies, reduce unnecessary approval steps, and improve efficiency.

这篇报告需要精简，目前有太多重复的内容。 Zhè piān bàogào xūyào jīngjiǎn, mùqián yǒu tài duō chóngfù de nèiróng. This report needs to be streamlined; there is currently too much repetitive content.

公司裁员并精简管理层级，以降低运营成本。 Gōngsī cáiyuán bìng jīngjiǎn guǎnlǐ cénjí, yǐ jiàngdī yùnyíng chéngběn. The company laid off staff and streamlined management tiers to reduce operating costs.

他的演讲语言精简，逻辑清晰，令听众印象深刻。 Tā de yǎnjiǎng yǔyán jīngjiǎn, luójí qīngxī, lìng tīngzhòng yìnxiàng shēnkè. His speech was concise in language and clear in logic, leaving a deep impression on the audience.

精简流程是这次企业改革的核心目标之一。 Jīngjiǎn liúchéng shì zhè cì qǐyè gǎigé de héxīn mùbiāo zhī yī. Streamlining processes is one of the core goals of this round of corporate reform.

写作时要学会精简句子，去掉多余的修饰词，让意思更清晰。 Xiězuò shí yào xuéhuì jīngjiǎn jùzi, qùdiào duōyú de xiūshìcí, ràng yìsi gèng qīngxī. When writing, you should learn to streamline sentences, remove redundant modifiers, and make the meaning clearer.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
精简机构	streamline institutions/organisations
精简流程	streamline procedures/processes
精简人员	reduce staff; streamline personnel
精简语言	make language concise
精简高效	lean and efficient
精简版	streamlined version; abridged version

Usage Notes

精简 always implies keeping the best and discarding the rest -- it is not merely cutting but refining. This distinguishes it from 削减 (cut, reduce -- which can simply mean less) and 压缩 (compress, reduce in size). 精简 carries a positive connotation of improved quality through reduction.

In organisational and policy contexts, 精简机构 (streamline institutions) and 精简人员 (reduce personnel) are standard collocations. In writing and speech, 语言精简 praises brevity and clarity.

Memory Hook

精 (refined/elite) + 简 (simple/concise) -- keep only the refined and simple; cut everything else away.