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March 24, 2026
聪明(聰明)cōngmíng(cong1ming2)
聪明 (cōngmíng) refers to someone who is clever, intelligent, or bright. It is commonly used to describe individuals who are quick-witted or have a sharp mind, often in both academic and practical contexts. This word can also imply an ability to understand complex ideas or learn quickly.
Strokes23Frequency#715DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being 聪明 is often highly valued, especially in academic settings. Parents may frequently encourage their children to be 聪明 in their studies, reflecting the societal emphasis on education and intelligence.
Memory Tip
Imagine a bright light bulb (聪) shining over a wise owl (明), symbolizing intelligence and brightness. Picture the light bulb lighting up every time the owl has a clever thought, helping you link the meaning of 'smart' and 'bright' with the sound 'cōngmíng'.
Meanings of 聪明
cōngmíng(cong1ming2)
1acute (of sight and hearing)
2clever
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About 聪明
聪明Simplified
聰明Traditional
23Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#715Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 聪明
Podcast: 聪明
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AI Study Notes for 聪明
Quick Contrast
机灵 (jīling) - use 聪明 (cōngmíng) for intelligence in a more formal or academic context, while 机灵 (jīling) often implies cleverness in a practical or street-smart way.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 聪明 with similar adjectives like 智慧 (zhìhuì), which means wisdom. 聪明 is more about intelligence or quick thinking, while 智慧 connotes deeper understanding. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 3 word, 聪明 is foundational for describing people’s attributes. Focus on using it in sentences related to school or work situations where you might need to express someone's cleverness or aptitude.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 聪明 with other words for intelligence. For example, saying '他很智慧' (Tā hěn zhìhuì) instead of '他很聪明' (Tā hěn cōngmíng) can lead to misunderstanding, as 智慧 implies wisdom rather than cleverness.
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Pronunciation of 聪明
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How to say acute (of sight and hearing) in Chinese
“acute (of sight and hearing)” in Chinese is聪明cōngmíng
聪明 (cōngmíng) refers to someone who is clever, intelligent, or bright. It is commonly used to describe individuals who are quick-witted or have a sharp mind, often in both academic and practical contexts. This word can also imply an ability to understand complex ideas or learn quickly.
When to use 聪明
Be careful not to confuse 聪明 with similar adjectives like 智慧 (zhìhuì), which means wisdom. 聪明 is more about intelligence or quick thinking, while 智慧 connotes deeper understanding. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.
聪明 or something close to it
机灵 (jīling) - use 聪明 (cōngmíng) for intelligence in a more formal or academic context, while 机灵 (jīling) often implies cleverness in a practical or street-smart way.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 聪明 with other words for intelligence. For example, saying '他很智慧' (Tā hěn zhìhuì) instead of '他很聪明' (Tā hěn cōngmíng) can lead to misunderstanding, as 智慧 implies wisdom rather than cleverness.
Write 聪明
聪
明
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Grammar Patterns of 聪明
聪明 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 5 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.
