聪明

• Pinyin: cōng míng
• Hanzi breakdown: 聪 (keen hearing) + 明 (bright, clear-sighted)

Meaning

Clever; intelligent; smart.

Describes quick thinking, intelligence, and mental sharpness. Can be used for people of all ages. Sometimes carries a nuance of being shrewd or cunning when used in certain contexts. Common compliment for children.

Examples

1. 这个孩子很聪明，什么东西一学就会。 This child is very smart; they pick up everything quickly.
2. 聪明人知道什么时候该说话，什么时候该沉默。 Smart people know when to speak and when to stay silent.
3. 他很聪明，但有时候太自以为是了。 He's clever, but sometimes too full of himself.

Usage Guide

Context: intelligence, praise, descriptions

Tone: positive

Do Say

• 你真聪明！(You're so smart!)
• 这是个聪明的办法。(That's a clever solution.)

Don't Say

• 说'你太聪明了'有时带有讽刺意味——如果语气不对，可能暗示对方自作聪明 (Saying 你太聪明了 can be sarcastic — with the wrong tone, it may imply someone is being a smartass)

Origin & History

Compound of 聪 (keen hearing) + 明 (bright, clear-sighted), originally meaning sharp ears and bright eyes, extended to mean intelligent.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal