intelligente
/in.tel.liˈd͡ʒɛn.te/
The English word 'intelligent' is translated into Italian as intelligente.
Intelligente is used to describe someone of high or especially quick cognitive capacity or brightness. Other related terms in Italian include geniale (genius), perspicace (perceptive), astuto/a (astute) and brillante (brilliant). To describe someone as being educated or knowledgeable, you might use colto, which can also imply intelligence. In formal or academic settings, you may encounter the phrase dotato di intelligenza, which means 'endowed with intelligence'.
Meaning: of high or especially quick cognitive capacity, bright (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective intelligente is invariant for gender, meaning it remains the same whether the subject is masculine or feminine. However, the word must change for number: the plural form is intelligenti, which is used for both masculine and feminine plural subjects.
How do you pronounce it?
/in.tel.liˈdʒɛn.te/. It has 5 syllables and the stress is on the 4th syllable.
Did you know?
- While intelligente describes mental capacity, Italians often use the word sveglio (literally 'awake') to describe someone who is sharp and quick-witted in daily life.
- To describe a 'street-smart' person, Italians often use furbo rather than intelligente. While intelligente refers to cognitive ability, furbo describes a cunning ability to navigate social or legal loopholes.
- The Italian word intelligenza can be used as a noun to refer to a secret intelligence agency, such as the servizi di informazione.
Examples in context
- È bella e intelligente.She's beautiful and intelligent.This sentence shows how to describe a person as both beautiful and intelligent using intelligente.Tatoeba #1688554 by Guybrush88, translation #2481254 by Hybrid
- Lei è così intelligente.You are so intelligent.This sentence demonstrates how to use intelligente to express that someone is very intelligent.Tatoeba #1963009 by Guybrush88, translation #1625105 by sahilkhan
- È intelligente come lui.She is as intelligent as he.This sentence illustrates a comparison using intelligente.Tatoeba #2676659 by Guybrush88, translation #316251 by Eldad
- Mario è un uomo intelligente.Mario is an intelligent man.
- La scienziata è dotata di grande intelligenza.The scientist is endowed with great intelligence.
- La conferenza è stata tenuta da un uomo molto colto.The lecture was delivered by a very intelligent man.
- Luca è molto furbetto, riesce sempre a cavarsela bene.Luca is very smart, he always manages to get through things.
- 160 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Matteo are talking about a student in their class.
- ChiaraHai visto il nuovo studente?Did you see the new student?
- MatteoSì, sembra molto intelligente.Yes, he seems very intelligent.
- ChiaraHai ragione, risponde sempre velocemente.You are right, he always answers quickly.
- MatteoÈ davvero un ragazzo intelligente.He is truly an intelligent boy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “intelligent” translations and entries intelligente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
