Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| klug | /kluːk/ /kluːx/ |
| patent | [paˈtɛnt] (narrow) |
| gescheit | /ɡəˈʃaɪ̯t/ (Germany) /ɡeˈʃaɪ̯t/ |
| clever | [ˈklɛvɐ] (narrow) |
| schlau | /ʃlaʊ̯/ |
| pfiffig | /ˈpfɪ.fɪç/ /ˈpfɪ.fɪk/ |
These terms are used to describe someone or something that is mentally quick or sharp.
Which one should you use?
While klug is a neutral term for intelligence, schlau often carries a connotation of being cunning or sly, similar to 'crafty' in English. Pfiffig describes a specific kind of cleverness that is more about being resourceful, bright or 'spunky' rather than purely academic intelligence. Additionally, Witzig translates to funny or witty, but can also be used to describe someone as clever in an informal context.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The German word clever is a loanword from English and is used in informal, modern German to describe someone who is quick-witted or has a smart idea. Gescheit is a more colloquial or regional term for klug used frequently in spoken German.
How do you pronounce it?
/kluːk/
Did you know?
- The word patent can be used in certain German student slang contexts to mean 'clever', stemming from a back-formation of 'patentiert'.
Examples in context
- Wie klug Tom ist!How clever Tom is!This sentence illustrates how to express admiration for someone's cleverness using klug.Tatoeba #7798762 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1913084 by CK
- Du bist sehr klug.You're very clever.This sentence shows how to state that someone is very clever using klug.Tatoeba #926103 by Esperantostern, translation #2218478 by CK
- Das war sehr klug.That was very clever.This sentence shows how to describe an action or situation as being very clever using klug.Tatoeba #5868332 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #4494731 by CK
- Sie ist eine kluge StudentinShe is a clever student.
- Er ist ein schlauer GeschäftsmannHe is a clever businessman.
- Dein Vorschlag ist wirklich klug!Your suggestion is really clever!
- 113 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Julian are discussing a colleague's recent success at work.
- JuliaUnser neuer Kollege ist wirklich klug.Our new colleague is really clever.
- JulianJa, er ist sehr klug.Yes, he is very clever.
- JuliaEr hat das Problem sofort gelöst.He solved the problem immediately.
- JulianDas hat er sehr geschickt gemacht.He did that very skillfully.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clever” translations and entries klug, patent, gescheit, clever, schlau, pfiffig, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries clever, gescheit, klug, patent, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
