Korean word

지능

Pronunciation

Romanizationchineung

Meaning

  • nounintelligence

Example

그 아이의 지능이 빠르게 발달한다.keu a i ui chi neung i ppa reu ge pal dal han da

The child's intelligence is developing quickly.

Illustration for 지능 (intelligence)

More examples

그는 지능이 높아서 문제를 빨리 푼다.keu neun chi neung i no pa seo mun je reul ppal li pun da

Because he is highly intelligent, he solves problems quickly.

Core concept

Information enters the mind, becomes understood, and supports effective problem solving.

Common phrases

  • 지능이 높다chi neung i nop tta

    high intelligence

  • 지능 수준chi neung su jun

    intelligence level

Similar words

똑똑함ttokttokam: The quality of being clever and quick to understand things.
머리meori: Everyday mental ability used for thinking and making judgments.
사고력sagoryeok: The reasoning ability used to examine problems in a logical order and solve them.
두뇌tunoe: The brain viewed as the source of thought, memory, and judgment.

Definition in Korean

정보를 이해하고 처리하여 문제를 해결하는 능력cheong bo reul i hae ha go cheo ri ha yeo mun je reul hae gyeol ha neun neung nyeok

Word origin

The word was formed from Sino-Korean elements meaning knowledge and ability, making its connection with mental capacity easy to remember.

Usage tips

  • English learners can associate this word with intelligence tests and scientific writing, where the register is more formal than everyday descriptions of a smart person.

Related words

  • 고지능kojineunghigh intelligencenoun
  • 지능적chineungjeokintelligentadjective

Word lists with this word