聪明 cōngming intelligent
intelligent; clever; bright; smart
How to remember 聪明: 聪 sharp + 明 bright = intelligent.
Characters
How it is used
- "Smart, clever" of a person - 这个孩子很聪明 (zhège háizi hěn cōngmíng) this kid is bright.
- Note 明 keeps its tone but 聪明 is often said cōngming with a neutral second syllable in speech.
- 聪明 is raw quickness/wit; 认真 or 努力 (hard-working) is a different axis - Chinese often praises effort over 聪明, and 自作聪明 (zìzuò cōngming) means "too clever for one's own good."
Example sentences
- 你很聪明。 Nǐ hěn cōngmíng.You're very smart.
- 他是个聪明的孩子。 Tā shì gè cōngmíng de háizi.He's a clever boy.
- 他不但聪明还很勤奋。 Tā búdàn cōngmíng hái hěn qínfèn.He is not only smart but also industrious.