Meanings of 伶俐
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Podcast: 伶俐
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AI study notes for 伶俐
机灵 (jīling) — use 伶俐 (línglì) for a more playful or charming cleverness, while 机灵 (jīling) often implies a shrewdness or cunning.
伶俐 is generally used in informal contexts and can describe people, especially children or young adults, who show quick intelligence. Be careful not to confuse it with 聪明 (cōngmíng), which is more about overall intelligence without the playful nuance. Avoid saying someone is 伶俐 when discussing serious topics.
As an HSK 6 word, 伶俐 connects well with other advanced vocabulary related to intelligence and personality traits. Students should focus on using it in context, such as describing a friend's quick thinking or a child's cleverness in a playful setting.
Learners sometimes mistakenly use 伶俐 in a serious context where 聪明 (cōngmíng) would be more appropriate. For example, saying '他的工作表现很伶俐' (His work performance is very clever) is incorrect; it should be '他的工作表现很聪明'.
Pronunciation of 伶俐
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Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Component characters
How to say clever in Chinese
“clever” in Chinese is伶俐
伶俐 (línglì) describes someone who is clever, witty, and quick-thinking. It is commonly used to refer to individuals who can easily grasp concepts or respond intelligently in conversations, often in a light-hearted or playful context.
When to use 伶俐
伶俐 is generally used in informal contexts and can describe people, especially children or young adults, who show quick intelligence. Be careful not to confuse it with 聪明 (cōngmíng), which is more about overall intelligence without the playful nuance. Avoid saying someone is 伶俐 when discussing serious topics.
伶俐 or something close to it
机灵 (jīling) — use 伶俐 (línglì) for a more playful or charming cleverness, while 机灵 (jīling) often implies a shrewdness or cunning.
What learners get wrong
Learners sometimes mistakenly use 伶俐 in a serious context where 聪明 (cōngmíng) would be more appropriate. For example, saying '他的工作表现很伶俐' (His work performance is very clever) is incorrect; it should be '他的工作表现很聪明'.
Write 伶俐
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Grammar patterns of 伶俐
伶俐 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 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
他是个不错的小伙子——聪明____而且性格开朗。
He was a nice lad — bright and with a sunny disposition.
Example sentences for 伶俐 (2)
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Frequently asked questions about 伶俐
Yes, while it's often used for children or young people, you can also describe adults as 伶俐, especially in casual contexts.
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