天才

• Pinyin: tiān cái
• Hanzi breakdown: 天 = 大 (big) + 一 (one), heaven/sky; 才 = pictograph, talent/ability

Meaning

Genius; a person with exceptional natural talent or ability.

Describes someone with extraordinary innate ability in a particular field. Can be used as a noun (a genius) or attributively (天才画家 genius painter). Also used sarcastically or humorously in casual speech. The concept emphasizes natural, inborn talent rather than acquired skill.

Examples

1. 莫扎特五岁就开始作曲，真是个音乐天才。 Mozart started composing at age five — truly a musical genius.
2. 光靠天才是不够的，还需要后天的努力。 Natural talent alone isn't enough; hard work is also needed.
3. 我可不是什么天才，只是比别人多花了点时间而已。 I'm no genius — I just spent a bit more time than others, that's all.

Usage Guide

Context: education, arts, casual

Tone: admiring

Do Say

• 她是个数学天才。(She's a math genius.)
• 你真是天才！(You're a genius! — can be sincere or sarcastic)

Don't Say

• 他是天才在工作 — 天才 describes a person, not the quality of work; use 出色 or 优秀 for work quality

Origin & History

Compound of 天 (heaven/nature) + 才 (talent), meaning talent bestowed by heaven or nature.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal