Korean word

영리하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationyeongnihada

Meaning

  • adjectivesmart

Example

그 학생은 질문에 잘 대답해서 영리하네요.keu hak ssaeng eun chil mu ne chal tae da pae seo yeong ni ha ne yo

That student is smart because they answer questions well.

Illustration for 영리하다 (smart)

More examples

그 아이는 새로운 문제를 금방 풀어서 정말 영리하다.keu a i neun sae ro un mun je reul keum bang pu reo seo cheong mal yeong ni ha da

That child is really smart because they solve a new problem quickly.

Core concept

A person quickly understands what is happening and gives an appropriate response.

Common phrases

  • 영리한 아이yeong ni han a i

    smart child

  • 영리한 판단yeong ni han pan dan

    smart judgment

  • 영리한 선택yeong ni han seon taek

    smart choice

Similar words

똑똑하다ttokttokada: Quick to understand ideas and answer well, often with strong learning ability.
영민하다yeongminhada: Sharp at noticing important details and reacting quickly.
약삭빠르다yakssakppareuda: Careful and crafty in acting quickly to gain an advantage.

Definition in Korean

상황을 빨리 파악하여 적절하게 대응하는 성질을 이르는 말.sang hwang eul ppal li pa a ka yeo cheok jjeol ha ge tae eung ha neun seong ji reul i reu neun mal

Word origin

The adjective combines a Sino-Korean element associated with cleverness and sharp judgment with the common Korean element used to form descriptive words.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, it often praises practical quick thinking, so it can describe a good answer even when academic knowledge is not the focus.

Opposites

Related words

  • 영리함yeongnihamsmartnessnoun
  • 영리하게yeongnihagesmartlyadverb

Word lists with this word