Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
天才tiāncái(tian1cai2)
天才 (tiāncái) refers to a person with exceptional intellectual or creative abilities, often recognized as a genius in a particular field. This term is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe individuals who demonstrate extraordinary talent, whether in academics, arts, or other domains.
Strokes7Frequency#2329DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 天才 is often linked to the idea of '天赋' (tiānfù), or innate gifts, emphasizing the belief that some talents are natural rather than solely developed through hard work. This reflects the high value placed on natural ability in academic and artistic circles.
Memory Tip
Imagine a bright sky (天) above a talented artist (才) creating a masterpiece. The sky symbolizes the vast potential of a genius, while the artist captures the essence of talent. The pronunciation 'tiān' sounds like 'ten' — as in ten times smarter — and 'cái' can be imagined as a 'sigh' of admiration for their skills.
Meanings of 天才
tiāncái(tian1cai2)
1talent
2gift
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 天才
天才Simplified
7Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2329Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 天才
Podcast: 天才
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 天才
Quick Contrast
天才 (tiāncái) vs 奇才 (qícái): Use 天才 for someone recognized as a genius, while 奇才 implies a talented individual who may not fit the traditional genius mold.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to overuse 天才 in casual conversation, as it may sound overly formal or exaggerated. Common collocations include '数学天才' (math genius) and '音乐天才' (musical genius). Remember to pronounce both characters clearly, as mispronouncing the tones can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 天才 is useful for discussing topics related to intelligence and achievement. Students should focus on its usage in various contexts, such as in education or professional environments, and practice phrases that describe different types of talents.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 天才 with other words like 人才 (réncái), which refers to a capable person but is less about exceptional genius. For example, saying '他是个人才' (He is a talent) may imply skill but lacks the genius connotation of '他是个天才'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 天才
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 天才 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
天才 (tiāncái) refers to a person with exceptional intellectual or creative abilities, often recognized as a genius in a particular field. This term is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe individuals who demonstrate extraordinary talent, whether in academics, arts, or other domains.
When to use 天才
Be cautious not to overuse 天才 in casual conversation, as it may sound overly formal or exaggerated. Common collocations include '数学天才' (math genius) and '音乐天才' (musical genius). Remember to pronounce both characters clearly, as mispronouncing the tones can change the meaning.
天才 or something close to it
天才 (tiāncái) vs 奇才 (qícái): Use 天才 for someone recognized as a genius, while 奇才 implies a talented individual who may not fit the traditional genius mold.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 天才 with other words like 人才 (réncái), which refers to a capable person but is less about exceptional genius. For example, saying '他是个人才' (He is a talent) may imply skill but lacks the genius connotation of '他是个天才'.
Write 天才
天
才
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 天才 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 天才
天才 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 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
俄国人民认为____是不分国界的.
The Russian people feel that genius transcends all boundaries.
Example Sentences for 天才 (7)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
俄国人民认为天才是不分国界的.
é guó rén mín rèn wéi tiān cái shì bù fēn guó jiè de.
The Russian people feel that genius transcends all boundaries.
