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智 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
智zhìwisdomHSK 5, ng, 12 strokes, radical 日, rank #6104, Hard
智zhìknowledgeHSK 5, ng, 12 strokes, radical 日, rank #6104, Hard
智zhìwisdom, knowledge, intelligenceHSK 5, ng, 12 strokes, radical 日, rank #6104, Hard
zhì(zhi4) T4
  1. 1wisdom
  2. 2knowledge
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
智zhì(zhi4)

The character 智 (zhì) means wisdom or intelligence, often referring to the ability to think critically and make sound decisions. It is commonly used in contexts that emphasize knowledge, insight, and cleverness, such as in education or philosophy.

Strokes12Radical日Frequency#6104DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, wisdom is highly valued, often associated with Confucian ideals. The concept of 智 is frequently invoked in sayings and proverbs that emphasize moral integrity and the importance of making wise choices.

Memory Tip

Imagine a wise old sage (智) sitting under a tree, contemplating the secrets of the universe. The character looks like a person (the top part) with a heart (the bottom part), symbolizing that true wisdom comes from both intellect and compassion.

Meanings of 智

zhì(zhi4)
1wisdom
2knowledge
Exercise 1 of 3

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 智

智Simplified
12Strokes
日Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#6104Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5

Podcast: 智

JasonAmy

Podcast: 智

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 智

Quick Contrast

聪 (cōng) - use 智 (zhì) when emphasizing wisdom or critical thinking, while 聪 (cōng) focuses more on quickness of understanding or cleverness in a more immediate sense.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a wise old sage (智) sitting under a tree, contemplating the secrets of the universe. The character looks like a person (the top part) with a heart (the bottom part), symbolizing that true wisdom comes from both intellect and compassion.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 智 with 知 (zhī), which means to know. While both characters relate to knowledge, 智 emphasizes wisdom and intelligence. This word is more formal and is often found in philosophical or academic contexts.

HSK Study Tips

Although 智 is not an HSK Level 1 word, it connects with other words related to knowledge and learning, such as 学 (xué, to learn) and 知识 (zhīshì, knowledge). Focus on using it in sentences that reflect thoughtful reasoning or insight.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, wisdom is highly valued, often associated with Confucian ideals. The concept of 智 is frequently invoked in sayings and proverbs that emphasize moral integrity and the importance of making wise choices.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 智 with 知 (zhī) when writing or speaking. For example, saying '我有智' (wǒ yǒu zhì) incorrectly implies 'I have wisdom' instead of 'I know' which should use 知. The correct phrase would be '我知道' (wǒ zhīdào).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 智

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Etymology of 智

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 册 represents the meaning and 知 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

Known 知 clearly 日; 知 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 智?

Decomposition of 智

IDS Structure⿱知日
智Full Character
=
知zhi1
top
日Ri4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 智?

Write 智

智

Practice writing 智 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 智

智 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

桑塔格一直是那种兼具美貌与____慧的人中龙凤。

Sontag has always been that rarity, a glamorous intellectual.

Common Confusions with 智

智vs治
zhì

Similar in pronunciation but with a different meaning.

智vs知
zhī

Similar pronunciation and often related in meaning to knowledge.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "wisdom"?

or

Example Sentences for 智 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
桑塔格一直是那种兼具美貌与智慧的人中龙凤。

sāng tǎ gé yī zhí shì nà zhǒng jiān jù měi mào yǔ zhì huì de rén zhōng lóng fèng。

Sontag has always been that rarity, a glamorous intellectual.
2
才智不是生活中最重要的东西。

cái zhì bù shì shēng huó zhōng zuì zhòng yào de dōng xī。

The intellect is not the most important thing in life.
3
他们过于谨慎也许是明智的。

tā mén guò yú jǐn shèn yě xǔ shì míng zhì de。

They may be wise to err on the side of caution.
4
当然，识字和智力是两码事。

dāng rán， ， shí zì hé zhì lì shì liǎng mǎ。

Of course, literacy isn't the same thing as intelligence.
5
这对于杜鲁门来说似乎是一项特别不明智的事业。

zhè duì yú dù lǔ mén lái shuō sì hū shì yī xiàng tè bié bù míng zhì de shì yè。

It seemed a singularly ill-judged enterprise for Truman to undertake.
6
他们都说“这太不靠谱了，一点儿都不明智”。

tā mén dū shuō“ “ zhè tài bù kào pǔ， le ， yī diǎn ér dū bù”。

They all said "This is crazy, this makes no sense".
7
他作为一位睿智、具备政治家才干的州长而广受尊崇。

tā zuò wéi yī wèi ruì zhì、 、 jù bèi zhèng zhì jiā cái gān de zhōu cháng ér guǎng shòu zūn。

He was widely respected as a wise and statesmanlike governor.
8
吃一堑长一智，他这个教训来之不易——是从他自己的亲身经历中得来的。

chī yī qiàn cháng yī zhì， ， tā zhè gè jiào xùn lái zhī bù—— yì —— shì cóng tā zì jǐ de qīn shēn jīng lì zhōng dé。

He learned this lesson the hard way from his own personal experience.
9
在减肥过程中保持饮食的营养相对均衡是明智的。

zài jiǎn féi guò chéng zhōng bǎo chí yǐn shí de yíng yǎng xiāng duì jūn héng shì míng zhì de。

It makes sense to eat a reasonably balanced diet when slimming.
10
在挑选长筒靴的时候，购买上等的好皮靴将是明智的选择。

zài tiāo xuǎn cháng tǒng xuē de shí hòu， ， gòu mǎi shàng děng de hǎo pí xuē jiāng shì míng zhì de xuǎn。

When selecting boots, fine, quality leather will be a wise investment.

Cultural Notes for 智

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, wisdom is highly valued, often associated with Confucian ideals. The concept of 智 is frequently invoked in sayings and proverbs that emphasize moral integrity and the importance of making wise choices.

Word Family of 智

Compounds1
潪
Words Containing This Character20
智慧zhìhuìwisdom
理智lǐzhìreason
智能zhìnéngable
智zhìwisdom
明智míngzhìsensible
智力zhìlìintelligence
智商zhìshāngIQ (intelligence quotient)
弱智weak-minded
智利Chile
心智wisdom
机智jīzhìquick-witted機智
睿智wise and farsighted
智者sage
神智mind
人工智能réngōngzhìnéngartificial intelligence (AI)
才智ability and wisdom
聪明才智intelligence and wisdom聰明才智
益智to grow the intellect
明智之举sensible act明智之舉
智囊团think tank智囊團
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 智慧 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 智

Common phrases that include 智 are 智慧 (zhìhuì), meaning wisdom, and 智力 (zhìlì), meaning intelligence. These phrases are often used in educational or philosophical discussions.