Spanish word

inteligente

Pronunciation

IPA/inteliˈxente/

Meaning

  • adjectiveintelligent, smart

Example

Mi hermana es muy inteligente.

My sister is very intelligent.

Illustration for inteligente (intelligent)

More examples

Tomó una decisión inteligente.

He made a wise decision.

Core concept

Person solving a complex problem.

Common phrases

  • persona inteligente

    intelligent person

  • muy inteligente

    very intelligent

  • decisión inteligente

    wise decision

Similar words

listo: Quick to respond and act skillfully in unexpected or changing situations.
brillante: Exceptionally talented, showing striking ability in study or professional work.
capaz: Able to complete assigned tasks and reliably fulfill a given role.
ingenioso: Inventive and quick at devising clever, practical solutions to problems.

Definition in Spanish

Que muestra facilidad para comprender, aprender y utilizar conocimientos para resolver problemas.

Word origin

Derives from Latin intelligens, the present participle of intelligere 'to understand', formed from inter 'between' + legere 'choose', originally meaning 'one who chooses correctly'.

Usage tips

  • Es inteligente refers to a person's general ability to understand, learn, and reason, while short-term cleverness is often expressed with listo and experience-based wisdom with sabio.

Other meanings

  • cleveradjective

Opposites

  • tontofoolishadjective
  • estúpidostupidadjective

Related words

  • inteligenciaintelligencenoun
  • inteligentementeintelligentlyadverb

Word lists with this word