eres inteligente
/eɾes intelixente/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'you're smart' is translated into Spanish as eres inteligente.
This phrase is a compliment used to tell someone that they have a quick mind or a high level of intelligence. You can intensify the compliment by saying Eres realmente inteligente to mean 'You're really smart'.
Which one should you use?
While eres inteligente is a standard way to express this, eres listo/a is a common alternative meaning 'you're clever/smart'. However, be aware that listo can also mean 'ready' depending on the context of your sentence.
Is it said differently in some regions?
When addressing a group of people, the phrasing depends on the region: in Spain, use sois inteligentes for 'you all are smart', whereas in Latin America, use son inteligentes.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you change the subject to a third person (he or she), the verb changes from eres to es, resulting in es inteligente.
How do you pronounce it?
/eɾes intelixente/
Did you know?
- The word eres is a linguistic relic from the Latin word 'eris', which actually meant 'you will be' in the future tense.
- In some Latin American countries, calling someone muy listo can be interpreted as sarcasm, suggesting the person is 'too clever for their own good' or cunning.
- In a formal setting, such as speaking to a professor, you would replace eres with es to show respect, even if you are giving a compliment.
Examples in context
- Eres inteligente.You're smart.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase eres inteligente.Tatoeba #5057935 by don_ramon, translation #2203371 by CK
- Eres inteligente y tienes mucha inteligencia para comprender conceptos complejos. Tu mente brillante es una inspiración para todos nosotrosYou're smart, and you have a lot of intelligence to understand complex concepts. Your brilliant mind is an inspiration to all of us
- La manera en que resuelves problemas muestra que tienes una mente brillanteThe way you solve problems shows that you have a brilliant mind
- Eres inteligente y muy trabajadora.You are smart and very hardworking.
- Sé que eres inteligente, así que puedes lograrlo.I know you are smart, so you can achieve it.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are discussing a difficult puzzle.
- Daniel¿Cómo resolviste este acertijo tan rápido?How did you solve this puzzle so fast?
- MaríaSolo seguí las pistas lógicas.I just followed the logical clues.
- DanielRealmente eres inteligente, María.You really are smart, María.
- María¡Muchas gracias, Daniel!Thank you very much, Daniel!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries eres, inteligente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
