Meanings of 机智
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Podcast: 机智
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AI Study Notes for 机智
机灵 (jīling) refers to being clever or quick-witted, often with a focus on being alert and perceptive, while 机智 (jīzhì) emphasizes mental agility and cleverness in a broader range of situations, including humor.
Be mindful of the context in which you use 机智; it is generally informal and can carry a positive connotation. Common collocations include 机智的回答 (a witty response) and 机智的处事 (resourceful handling of situations). Avoid using it in overly formal contexts.
As a Level 6 word, 机智 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to intelligence and wit. Students should focus on using it in different contexts and collocations to deepen their understanding.
Learners often confuse 机智 with 聪明 (cōngmíng, smart). While both relate to intelligence, 机智 specifically emphasizes wit and quick thinking. For instance, saying '他很聪明' (He is very smart) is correct, but using '他很机智' would imply he is quick-witted.
Pronunciation of 机智
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Component Characters
How to say quick-witted in Chinese
“quick-witted” in Chinese is机智
机智 (jīzhì) refers to the ability to think quickly and cleverly in various situations, often in a humorous or clever way. It is commonly used to describe someone's mental agility and resourcefulness, especially in problem-solving or social interactions.
When to use 机智
Be mindful of the context in which you use 机智; it is generally informal and can carry a positive connotation. Common collocations include 机智的回答 (a witty response) and 机智的处事 (resourceful handling of situations). Avoid using it in overly formal contexts.
机智 or something close to it
机灵 (jīling) refers to being clever or quick-witted, often with a focus on being alert and perceptive, while 机智 (jīzhì) emphasizes mental agility and cleverness in a broader range of situations, including humor.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 机智 with 聪明 (cōngmíng, smart). While both relate to intelligence, 机智 specifically emphasizes wit and quick thinking. For instance, saying '他很聪明' (He is very smart) is correct, but using '他很机智' would imply he is quick-witted.
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Practice writing 机智 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 机智
机智 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 2 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____风趣，鼓舞激励着我们所有人。
He is a witty man, and an inspiration to all of us.
Example Sentences for 机智 (1)
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Frequently Asked Questions about 机智
You can say, '他的机智让我印象深刻' (His quick wit impressed me).
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