영리한
yeongnihan
The English phrase 'clever' translates to Korean as 영리한 (yeongnihan). Wiktionary also lists 똑똑한 (ttokttokhan) and 령리한 (ryeongnihan).
Meaning: mentally quick or sharp (adj)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 영리한 | yeongnihan | |
| 똑똑한 | ttokttokhan | |
| 령리한 | ryeongnihan | North Korea |
영리한 is used to describe someone who is mentally quick, sharp or shrewd in how they navigate situations.
Which one should you use?
While 영리한 suggests a sense of being clever or quick-witted, the word 똑똑한 is more commonly used in everyday conversation to mean 'smart' or 'intelligent'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In North Korea, the spelling 령리한 is used instead of 영리한.
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary forms (base forms) for these adjectives are 영리하다 (to be clever) and 똑똑하다 (to be smart).
How do you pronounce it?
yeongnihan
Did you know?
- Korean has a specific word, 눈치, which describes a type of social cleverness. Being 눈치 fast means you can read a room and understand unspoken needs without being told.
- In Korean, calling someone 영리하다 can sometimes carry a subtle nuance of being 'sly' or 'calculating' rather than just purely brilliant, depending on the context.
- The term 똑똑히 (the adverb form) is often used when telling someone to 'listen closely' or 'look clearly', turning the concept of 'smart' into an instruction for mental clarity.
Examples in context
- 케이트도 영리한 사람인 것 같아.I think Kate is also a clever person.This sentence shows how to describe a person using the form 영리한.Tatoeba #8367823 by Eunhee, translation #62671 by CP
- 그 학생은 수학 문제를 영리하게 풀었어요.That student cleverly solved the math problem.
- 교수님은 항상 영리한 질문을 하신다.The professor always asks clever questions.
- 이 어린 아이는 깊은 통찰력이 있어요. 정말 총명하네요.This young child has a deep insight. They are truly clever.
- 그 아이는 정말 영리한 것 같아요.geu ai-neun jeongmal yeongrihan geot gatayo.That child seems really clever.
- 영리한 강아지가 주인 말을 잘 들어요.yeongrihan gangaji-ga juin mal-eul jal deureoyo.A clever puppy listens to its owner well.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minji and Dohyun are talking about a talented student.
- 민지 Min-ji도현 씨, 새로 온 학생 봤어요?do-hyeon ssi, sae-ro on hak-saeng bwa-sseo-yo?Dohyun, did you see the new student?
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 아주 영리한 학생이더라고요.ne, a-ju yeong-ri-han hak-saeng-i-deo-ra-go-yo.Yes, he is a very clever student.
- 민지 Min-ji어려운 질문에도 바로 대답하더군요.eo-ryeo-un jil-mun-e-do ba-ro dae-dap-ha-deo-gun-yo.He answered difficult questions immediately.
- 도현 Do-hyeon정말 똑똑하고 영리한 것 같아요.jeong-mal ttog-ttog-ha-go yeong-ri-han geot gat-a-yo.I think he is really smart and clever.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clever” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
