聪明的小孩
cōngmíng de xiǎohái
The English phrase "smart kid" is translated into Mandarin as 聪明的小孩 (cōngmíng de xiǎohái).
This phrase describes a child who shows high intelligence or quick thinking. While 聪明 (cōngmíng) refers to general intelligence, if you want to describe a child who is specifically "street smart" or very resourceful, you might use 机灵 (jīling) instead.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 聪明的小孩 is composed of 聪明 (smart), the adjectival marker 的 and 小孩 (child/little kid).
Which one should you use?
The phrase 聪明的孩子 is a common alternative that uses 孩子 (háizi) instead of 小孩 (xiǎohái). The expression 足智多谋的孩子 emphasizes intelligence, resourcefulness and strategic thinking in a child.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using 孩子 in the phrase 聪明的孩子 is considered slightly more formal or standard than using the more colloquial 小孩.
How do you pronounce it?
cōngmíng de xiǎohái
Did you know?
- The character 聪 (cōng) in 聪明 (cōngmíng) consists of the radical for 'ear' and a component meaning 'to distinguish'. This suggests that in ancient Chinese thought, true intelligence began with the ability to listen and perceive clearly.
- While calling a child 聪明 (cōngmíng) is generally positive, some parents may respond to a stranger's praise by saying 哪里哪里 (nǎlǐ nǎlǐ), which literally means 'where, where'. This is a traditional cultural ritual of humility used to deflect praise away from the child.
- The term 神童 (shéntóng) for a child prodigy uses the character 神 (shén), which can mean 'god', 'spirit' or 'magic'. It frames the child's intelligence as something supernatural rather than just the result of study or effort.
Examples in context
- 我弟弟是个非常聪明的孩子。My younger brother is a very smart kid.
- 她是个足智多谋的孩子，总能找到解决问题的办法。She is a smart kid who always finds solutions to problems.
- 他的女儿真是个聪明伶俐的小孩。His daughter is a really smart kid.
- 他的儿子聪明得很。His son is very smart.
- 他是个聪明的小孩。Tā shì ge cōngmíng de xiǎohái.He is a smart kid.
- 大家都在夸赞那个聪明的小孩。Dàjiā dōu zài kuāzàn nàge cōngmíng de xiǎohái.Everyone is praising that smart kid.
Example conversation
Two parents are talking about their son's school progress.
- 佳怡 Jiayi儿子这次考试拿了满分。Érzi zhè cì kǎoshì ná le mǎnfēn.Our son got a perfect score on this test.
- 志强 Zhiqiang他确实是个聪明的小孩。Tā quèshí shì gè cōngmíng de xiǎohái.He really is a smart kid.
- 佳怡 Jiayi而且他学习很努力。Érqiě tā xuéxí hěn nǔlì.And he studies very hard.
- 志强 Zhiqiang志强，我们要多鼓励他。Zhìqiáng, wǒmen yào duō gǔlì tā.Zhiqiang, we should encourage him more.
