Ways to say it
| Swedish | IPA |
|---|---|
| smart | /smɑːʈ/ |
| klok |
The word smart is used to describe someone exhibiting intellectual knowledge, such as that found in books or showing quickness of wit. Other related ways to express intelligence include using klok to imply wisdom and good judgment, duktig to describe someone who is good or capable in practical matters and påhittig to stress creativity or resourcefulness.
Which one should you use?
While smart implies academic intelligence or quick wit, klok is often used to mean 'wise' or someone who possesses life experience. Additionally, while smart focuses on intellectual capacity, duktig is used to describe being skillful or capable in practical tasks.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the adjective smart in its plural form, you add the suffix -a to create smarta.
How do you pronounce it?
/smɑːʈ/
Did you know?
- Using duktig to describe an adult can sometimes sound slightly patronizing, as it is so closely associated with praising children.
- The word klok descends from the Old Norse klókr, showing that the concept of wisdom has been expressed this way for over a millennium.
- The word klok can be used to describe a person who is 'wise' but also to describe a practical solution that is 'sensible'.
Examples in context
- Du är så smart.You're so smart.This example shows the use of smart to compliment someone.Tatoeba #11269279 by Pineapple, translation #2218395 by CK
- Hur smarta är de?How smart are they?This example demonstrates the plural form smarta.Tatoeba #10978726 by Pineapple, translation #5821715 by CK
- Tom är en smart grabb.Tom is a smart kid.This example uses smart to describe a person.Tatoeba #2048605 by herrsilen, translation #1868236 by CK
- Han är mycket smart.He is very smart.
- Ja, och han är också väldigt klok.Yes, and he is also very wise.
- Hon är så klipsk!She is so smart/quick-witted!
- Han är verkligen påhittig när det gäller att hitta lösningar.He is truly ingenious when it comes to finding solutions.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Erik and Maja are discussing a difficult puzzle.
- ErikJag förstår inte hur man löser detta.I don't understand how to solve this.
- MajaFråga Maja, hon är väldigt smart.Ask Maja, she is very smart.
- ErikJa, hon är nog den smartaste i klassen.Yes, she is probably the smartest in the class.
- MajaDet stämmer, hon läser många böcker.That's true, she reads many books.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “smart” translations and entries smart, klok, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries klok, smart, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
