muy inteligente
/mui intelixente/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'very smart' is translated into Spanish as muy inteligente.
muy inteligente is used to describe someone who possesses a high level of intelligence or mental ability.
Which one should you use?
While muy inteligente often refers to academic or innate intellectual capacity, the phrase muy listo can sometimes imply being 'street smart' or quick-witted and it can also mean being 'very clever' in a cunning way.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Colombia, Ecuador and Guatemala, the term pilas is used to describe someone who is sharp, quick-witted or alert.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective inteligente is gender-neutral and does not change its ending based on whether the person being described is male or female.
Did you know?
- In several Latin American countries like Colombia, you can describe someone as being 'very smart' or 'sharp' by saying they are pilas, which literally translates to 'batteries'.
- While inteligente is the standard term, the word listo can change its meaning entirely based on whether it is used with the verb ser or estar. Being muy listo with ser means you are smart, but being muy listo with estar can mean you are 'ready'.
- The word muy traces its roots back to the Latin word multus, which means 'much' or 'many'.
Examples in context
- Tom es muy inteligente.Tom is very smart.This sentence shows how to use muy inteligente with a name.Tatoeba #1235206 by hayastan, translation #1024757 by CK
- Ese niño es muy inteligente.That boy is very smart.This sentence shows how to use muy inteligente with a noun.Tatoeba #1995406 by marcelostockle, translation #1454141 by CK
- Él es un joven muy inteligente.He is a very smart boy.This sentence shows how to use muy inteligente within a noun phrase.Tatoeba #1478649 by marcelostockle, translation #303829 by CK
- Pedro es un estudiante muy inteligente.Pedro is a very smart student.
- María es sumamente inteligente. Ha obtenido las mejores calificaciones.María is very smart. She has achieved the highest grades.
- El profesor es extremadamente inteligente. Ha publicado numerosos libros sobre su campo.The professor is extremely smart. He has published numerous books on his field.
- Juan es muy listo, siempre encuentra soluciones rápidas a los problemas.Juan is very smart, he always finds quick solutions to problems.
- ¡Jaime es súper inteligente! Siempre sabe la respuesta antes de que se le haga la pregunta.Jaime is super smart! He always knows the answer before the question is even asked.
- La abuela de Roberto es muy sabia. Siempre tiene respuestas inteligentes para todo.Roberto's grandmother is very smart. She always has intelligent answers for everything.
- ¡Elena es requeteinteligente! Siempre llega a las respuestas más rápidas.Elena is extremely smart! She always arrives at the quickest answers.
- ¡Carlos siempre está pilas en clase! Siempre resuelve los problemas más difíciles.Carlos is always sharp in class! He always solves the most difficult problems.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are talking about a mutual friend.
- MateoNuestra amiga Ana es muy inteligente.Our friend Ana is very smart.
- LucíaSí, ella siempre saca buenas notas.Yes, she always gets good grades.
- MateoElla puede resolver cualquier problema.She can solve any problem.
- LucíaEs verdad, es muy inteligente.That is true, she is very smart.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries inteligente, muy, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
