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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.
Frequency#715DifficultyHard
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
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 聪明
聪明Simplified
聰明Traditional
—Strokes
—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.
Memory Mnemonic
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'.
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.
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.
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.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 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.
Susan'sa very bright and intelligent woman who knows her own mind.
8
我得承认，你是个挺聪明的孩子。
wǒ dé chéng rèn， ， nǐ shì gè tǐng cōng míng de hái。
You're a bright enough kid, I'll give you that.
9
他是个聪明人，是个好小伙。
tā shì gè cōng míng rén， ， shì gè hǎo xiǎo。
He's an intelligent man and a nice fella.
10
我并不认为自己是那种非常聪明、脑子好使的人。
wǒ bìng bù rèn wéi zì jǐ shì nà zhǒng fēi cháng cōng míng、 、 nǎo zǐ hǎo shǐ de。
I don't class myself as being very intelligent or brainy.
Cultural Notes for 聪明
🏮Cultural insight
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.
Frequently Asked Questions about 聪明
You can say '他非常聪明' (Tā fēicháng cōngmíng), which means 'He is very clever.'
Yes, 聪明 can describe practical intelligence as well, such as someone who is good at solving everyday problems.
Yes, 聪明 focuses on cleverness and quick thinking, while 聪慧 (cōnghuì) often refers to a more profound wisdom.
