Chinese word

机灵

Pronunciation

Pinyinjī líng

Meaning

  • adjectivequick-witted

Example

机灵的人很快就解决了问题。jī líng de rén hěn kuài jiù jiě jué le wèn tí

Quick-witted people solve problems quickly.

Illustration for 机灵 (quick-witted)

More examples

她对变化很机灵，能马上调整计划。tā duì biàn huà hěn jī líng néng mǎ shàng tiáo zhěng jì huà

She is very alert to changes and can adjust her plan right away.

Core concept

Quick, flexible awareness that turns changing circumstances into a sensible next move.

Common phrases

  • 很机灵hěn jī líng

    very quick-witted

  • 机灵的孩子jī líng de hái zi

    quick-witted child

  • 机灵起来jī líng qǐ lái

    become more alert

Similar words

机智jī zhì: Thinks on the spot and responds with a clever solution to a situation.
聪明cōng míng: Has a quick mind and is good at learning and understanding.
机敏jī mǐn: Responds rapidly to new signals or changes, with quick decisions and actions.
圆滑yuán huá: Handles social situations skillfully without creating tension or conflict.

Definition in Chinese

反应敏捷，头脑灵活，能迅速想出办法或应对变化。fǎn yìng mǐn jié tóu nǎo líng huó néng xùn sù xiǎng chū bàn fǎ huò yìng duì biàn huà

Word origin

In 机灵 (jīlíng, "quick-witted"), 机 (jī, "clever resourcefulness") is paired with 灵 (líng, "quick and nimble") to describe mental agility.

Usage tips

  • Tone matters in conversation: it can warmly praise someone who handles daily situations well, but it can also suggest clever calculation when the surrounding context is less friendly.

Other meanings

  • brightadjective
  • alertadjective

Opposites

  • 迟钝chí dùnslow-wittedadjective

Related words

  • 机灵鬼jī líng guǐquick-witted personnoun

Word lists with this word