知能

• Reading: ちのう
• Romaji: chinou
• Kanji breakdown: 知 (chi) — know, wisdom; 能 (nou) — ability, skill
• Pronunciation: /tɕi.noː/

Meaning

Intelligence; brains; cognitive ability. The capacity to think, learn, and understand.

A noun referring to intellectual capacity and cognitive functions. Frequently appears in compounds: 人工知能 (jinkou chinou, artificial intelligence/AI), 知能テスト (chinou tesuto, IQ test), 知能犯 (chinouhan, intellectual crime). More technical and scientific than 頭がいい (atama ga ii, smart).

Examples

1. 人工知能の技術が急速に発展している。 Artificial intelligence technology is advancing rapidly.
2. イルカは知能が高い動物として知られている。 Dolphins are known as highly intelligent animals.
3. 子供の知能は環境にも大きく影響される。 A child's intelligence is greatly influenced by their environment.

Usage Guide

Context: science, technology, education

Tone: academic

Origin & History

Composed of 知 (chi, know/wisdom) and 能 (nou, ability/skill). A Sino-Japanese compound combining knowing with capability, creating the concept of intellectual ability.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal