智 zhì wisdom
wisdom; knowledge; intelligence
How to remember 智: 知 to know + 日 sun = wisdom. The old farmer seems to know the weather just by looking at the morning sun, and the village respects his wisdom.
Component breakdown
智 = 知 to know + 日 sun
- 知 to know
- 矢 arrow
- 口 mouth
- 日 sun
The old farmer seems to know the weather just by looking at the morning sun, and the village respects his wisdom.
How it is used
- Bound morpheme for wisdom/intellect; almost always the first half of a two-syllable word.
- 智慧 zhìhuì is deep, life-earned wisdom (used for sages, decisions, cultures), while 聪明 cōngming is quickness/cleverness (used for kids, students) - don't use them interchangeably.
- 智能 zhìnéng is the modern tech word for "smart/intelligent" (智能手机 zhìnéng shǒujī, smartphone; 人工智能 réngōng zhìnéng, AI), while 智力 zhìlì is cognitive ability as measured, as in 智商 zhìshāng, IQ.
Words with 智
- 智慧zhìhuìwisdomHSK 5
- 智能zhìnéngintelligentHSK 5
- 人工智能réngōngzhìnéngartificial intelligence (AI)HSK 6
- 智力zhìlìintelligenceHSK 6
- 急中生智jízhōng-shēngzhìquick witted in an emergencyHSK 8
- 明智míngzhìsensibleHSK 8
- 智商zhìshāngIQ (intelligence quotient)HSK 9
- 机智jīzhìquick-wittedHSK 9
- 理智lǐzhìreasonHSK 9
- 见仁见智jiànrén-jiànzhìopinions differ (idiom)HSK 9
- 足智多谋zúzhì-duōmóuresourcefulHSK 9