Chinese word

聪明

Pronunciation

Pinyincōng míng

Meaning

  • adjectivesmart

Example

他很聪明，做事很快。tā hěn cōng míng zuò shì hěn kuài

He is very smart and works quickly.

Illustration for 聪明 (smart)

More examples

她用聪明的办法解决了问题。tā yòng cōng míng de bàn fǎ jiě jué le wèn tí

She solved the problem with a smart solution.

Core concept

A person or response shows flexible thinking by grasping a situation and solving it quickly.

Common phrases

  • 非常聪明fēi cháng cōng míng

    very smart

  • 聪明的孩子cōng míng de hái zi

    clever child

  • 聪明的办法cōng míng de bàn fǎ

    smart solution

Similar words

机灵jī líng: Quick to grasp what is happening and adjust smoothly to the situation.
机智jī zhì: Able to use sudden wit in speech or action to get through a difficult moment.
精明jīng míng: Good at seeing situations and people's interests clearly and making sensible decisions.

Definition in Chinese

用来形容头脑灵活、学习或处理事情时能很快理解并找到办法的人或行为。yòng lái xíng róng tóu nǎo líng huó xué xí huò chú lǐ shì qíng shí néng hěn kuài lí jiě bìng zhǎo dào bàn fǎ de rén huò xíng wéi

Word origin

The compound 聪明 (cōngmíng, "smart") draws on ideas of keen perception and brightness, linking clear awareness with intelligence.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Chinese, this adjective can praise a practical solution or a quick reaction, not just success in lessons.

Other meanings

  • cleveradjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word