Japanese word

知恵

Pronunciation

Romajichie

Meaning

  • nounwisdom

Example

祖父の知恵はすごいです。so fu no chi e wa su go i de su

My grandfather's wisdom is amazing.

Illustration for 知恵 (wisdom)

More examples

料理には祖母の知恵が生かされています。ryō ri ni wa so bo no chi e ga i ka sa re te i ma su

My grandmother's wisdom is put to good use in cooking.

Core concept

Describes understanding gained through experience that guides sound judgment and effective action.

Common phrases

  • 生活の知恵sei katsu no chi e

    everyday wisdom

  • 知恵を生かすchi e o i ka su

    make use of one's wisdom

Similar words

知識chishiki: Facts and information acquired through learning or experience.
工夫kufū: A useful method created to handle a problem or achieve a better result.
分別bunbetsu: Good judgment about how to behave in different situations.

Definition in Japanese

経験や学習によって身につけた、物事を正しく判断し、うまく対処するための知識や能力。kei ken ya gaku shū ni yo tte mi ni tsu ke ta mono goto o tada shi ku han dan shi u ma ku tai sho su ru ta me no chi shiki ya nō ryoku

Word origin

知恵 (chie) is a Sino-Japanese compound written with 知 (chi, "knowing") and 恵 (e, "benefit"), reflecting knowledge put to useful ends.

Usage tips

  • The phrase 知恵を絞る (chie o shiboru) means to use all one's ingenuity to solve a difficult problem.

Other meanings

  • intelligencenoun

Opposites

  • 愚かさorokasafoolishnessnoun

Word lists with this word