聪明
cōngming
The Mandarin word for smart is 聪明 (cōngming).
聪明 is used to describe someone exhibiting intellectual knowledge. For a more formal or descriptive way to refer to a person's intelligence and wisdom, you can use the phrase 聪明才智.
Meaning: exhibiting intellectual knowledge, such as that found in books (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The second character 明 means bright or clear, contributing to the sense of mental clarity.
Which one should you use?
聪明 refers to innate intelligence or quick-wittedness. This is distinct from 伶俐, which often implies being 'smart' in a more street-wise or talkative, superficial way.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using 聪明 as a predicate adjective, it is common to use the adverb 很 before it instead of the verb 是 (to be).
How do you pronounce it?
cōngming
Did you know?
- The first character 聪 contains the radical for 'ear'. In ancient Chinese thought, being 'smart' was fundamentally linked to the ability to listen and perceive sounds clearly.
- The character 明 (bright) is composed of the symbols for 'sun' and 'moon', suggesting that being 'smart' is a combination of both day and night clarity.
- In Mandarin, you can describe a person as having 灵气, which refers to a 'spiritual' or 'divine' spark of intelligence that cannot be taught through books.
Examples in context
- 我一直聪明。I've always been smart.This sentence shows how to state that you have always been 聪明.Tatoeba #5581756 by verdastelo9604, translation #2358931 by CK
- 你没有我聪明。You're not as smart as me.This sentence is useful for comparing intelligence levels using 聪明.Tatoeba #5918305 by verdastelo9604, translation #3500612 by Hybrid
- 曼纳德是个聪明人。Mennad is smart.This sentence demonstrates how to describe someone as a 聪明 person.Tatoeba #8969802 by WilsonWong, translation #8012436 by OsoHombre
- 她是个聪明的女孩。(tā shì gè cōng míng de nǚ hái)She is a smart girl.
- 这个决定很理智。(zhè gè jué dìng hěn lǐ zhì)This decision is smart/rational.
- 这个小孩聪明伶俐，总是能找到解决问题的方法。(zhè gè xiǎo hái cōng míng líng lì, zǒng shì néng zhǎo dào jiě jué wèn tí de fāng fǎ)This child is smart and always finds ways to solve problems.
- 他的聪明才智使他成为了一个成功的商人。(tā de cōng míng cái zhì shǐ tā chéng wéi le yī gè chéng gōng de shāng rén)His smartness and talent have made him a successful businessman.
- 你聪明伶俐，思维敏捷 (nǐ cōng míng líng lì, sī wéi mǐn jié)You are smart, quick-minded, and agile in thinking.
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Zhiqiang and Yuting are talking about a classmate's academic performance.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你觉得那个新同学怎么样？Nǐ juédé nàge xīn tóngxué zěnmeyàng?What do you think of the new classmate?
- 雨婷 Yuting我觉得他非常聪明。Wǒ juédé tā fēicháng cōngmíng.I think he is very smart.
- 志强 Zhiqiang他真的能很快学会新知识吗？Tā zhēnde néng hěn kuài xuéhuì xīn zhīshì ma?Can he really learn new things quickly?
- 雨婷 Yuting是的，他是个聪明的孩子。Shì de, tā shì gè cōngmíng de háizi.Yes, he is a smart child.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
