intelligent
/ɛ̃.tɛ.li.ʒɑ̃/
The English word 'intelligent' is translated into French as intelligent.
The term intelligent is a neutral way to describe someone of high or especially quick cognitive capacity or someone who is bright. While it refers to cognitive capacity, it is distinct from the English use of 'smart' to mean socially or street-wise. For that sense, French often uses débrouillard.
Meaning: of high or especially quick cognitive capacity, bright (adj)
Which one should you use?
To emphasize exceptional intelligence or brilliance, you can use Brillant(e). If you want to suggest a natural talent or aptitude through a formal expression, use Doué(e). For an informal way to express intelligence that conveys shrewdness or cleverness, use Malin(e) or the informal synonym Futé(e) to describe someone who is sly or street-smart.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of the adjective is intelligente, created by adding an e to the end. The masculine plural form is intelligents and the feminine plural form is intelligentes.
Did you know?
- The informal word for clever, malin, shares a root with the word mal, meaning 'bad'. Historically, it described a kind of intelligence that was used for mischief or cunning.
- French speakers distinguish between intelligence and esprit. While intelligence is the capacity to understand, esprit refers to a 'quick wit' and the ability to be funny and perceptive simultaneously.
- While intelligent describes cognitive ability, a person who is 'street-smart' or resourceful is called débrouillard. This comes from the verb débrouiller, which literally means 'to untangle'.
Examples in context
- Tu es très intelligent.You're very intelligent.Tatoeba #2110513 by sacredceltic, translation #2218491 by CK
- Je le crois intelligent.I believe him to be intelligent.Tatoeba #458732 by sacredceltic, translation #300884 by sundown
- Il est très intelligent.He's very intelligent.Tatoeba #1528612 by Rovo, translation #1386858 by Spamster
- Elle est une personne très intelligente.She is a very intelligent person.
- Son raisonnement était intelligent et logique.His reasoning was intelligent and logical.
- Elle est douée pour les mathématiques.She is gifted in mathematics.
- Tu es vraiment malin !You're really clever!
- Elle a eu une idée futée pour organiser une fête surprise.She had a smart idea to organize a surprise party.
- Les renards sont réputés pour être très futés.Foxes are known to be very cunning.
- Son raisonnement est vraiment "sensé."His reasoning is really sensible.
- 147 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are discussing a new student in their class.
- LéaTu penses quoi du nouvel élève ?What do you think of the new student?
- LucasJe trouve qu'il est très intelligent.I find that he is very intelligent.
- LéaC'est vrai, il comprend tout rapidement.That's true, he understands everything quickly.
- LucasOui, Lucas est vraiment brillant.Yes, Lucas is truly brilliant.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “intelligent” translations and entries intelligent, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
