intelligent
/ʔɪntɛliˈɡɛnt/
The English phrase 'intelligent' can be translated into German as intelligent or klug.
Meaning: of high or especially quick cognitive capacity, bright (adj)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| intelligent | /ʔɪntɛliˈɡɛnt/ |
| klug | /kluːk/ /kluːx/ |
The term is used to describe someone of high or especially quick cognitive capacity, bright. Depending on the context, you might also use synonyms like gescheit to mean wise or gebildet to mean educated.
Which one should you use?
While both mean intelligent, intelligent is more formal and often refers to cognitive capacity or scientific intelligence, whereas klug is more common in everyday speech and can imply wisdom or practical cleverness.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʔɪntɛliˈɡɛnt/
When do people say it?
In a playful and informal tone, you can use the expression Klug wie ein Fuchs, which translates to 'smart as a fox'.
Did you know?
- The word intelligent comes from the Latin intellegō, which combines inter meaning 'between' and legō meaning 'to choose' or 'to pick out'.
- In certain German contexts, calling someone zu klug (too smart) can be a subtle warning that they are being overly clever or pretentious.
- If you call someone a Fuchs, you are calling them a 'fox', which is a common way to imply they are cunning or shrewdly intelligent.
Examples in context
- Ich halte ihn für klug.I believe him to be intelligent.The sentence is useful for expressing a belief about someone being klug.Tatoeba #1181583 by Sudajaengi, translation #300884 by sundown
- Sie ist klug und hübsch.She's beautiful and intelligent.The sentence is useful for describing someone as both klug and beautiful.Tatoeba #1687757 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2481254 by Hybrid
- Tom ist ein kluges Kind.Tom is an intelligent child.The sentence is useful for describing a child as klug.Tatoeba #8543203 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #8018123 by CK
- Er ist begabtHe is gifted
- Sie ist klugShe is smart
- Er ist schlauHe is clever
- Sie ist sehr schlauShe is very intelligent
- Du bist echt schlau!You are really clever!
- Er ist klug wie ein FuchsHe is as smart as a fox
- Der begabte StudentThe intelligent student
- Sie ist eine sehr intelligente FrauShe is a very intelligent woman
- Ein intelligentes BuchAn intelligent book
- 215 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julian and Laura are talking about a new colleague.
- JulianWas hältst du von dem neuen Kollegen?What do you think of the new colleague?
- LauraIch finde ihn sehr intelligent.I find him very intelligent.
- JulianDas glaube ich auch, er lernt schnell.I think so too, he learns quickly.
- LauraJa, er ist wirklich ein intelligenter Typ.Yes, he is really an intelligent guy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “intelligent” translations and entries intelligent, klug, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries intelligent, klug, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
