Translation guide
Describes someone who is mentally sharp, quick-witted, or resourceful. Japanese offers several words that overlap with 'clever person,' but each carries a different nuance—from positive intelligence to sly cunning.
To describe someone who is generally smart, quick to understand, or academically bright.
The most common and neutral way to say a person is clever or smart. Literally 'a person whose head is good.'
彼は本当に頭がいい人だ。
He is a really clever person.
Means wise or clever, often implying good judgment and prudence. Slightly more formal than 頭がいい.
賢い人は無駄な争いを避ける。
A clever person avoids pointless arguments.
Often used for cleverness in a practical, sometimes cunning sense. Can be used for children or animals being smart.
あの子は利口な人だ。
That child is a clever person.
To describe someone who thinks fast, makes witty remarks, or is mentally agile.
Refers to someone who is quick-witted and resourceful, especially in handling unexpected situations.
彼女は機転の利く人だから、どんなトラブルでも解決できる。
She is a quick-witted person, so she can solve any trouble.
Literally 'a person whose mental rotation is fast.' Emphasizes speed of thought and sharpness.
彼は頭の回転が速い人で、冗談にもすぐ反応する。
He is a quick-witted person and responds to jokes immediately.
To describe someone who is clever in a manipulative or self-serving way.
Means a sly or cunning person who uses their intelligence for selfish or dishonest purposes.
彼はずる賢い人だから、信用できない。
He is a cunning person, so I can't trust him.
A more literary or emphatic term for someone who is shrewd in an annoying, petty way. Often used with disdain.
小賢しい人は嫌われる。
Clever-clever people are disliked.
To describe someone who is clever at handling practical problems or making do with limited resources.
Refers to a person who is good at devising clever solutions or improvising.
彼女は工夫が上手な人で、少ない材料で美味しい料理を作る。
She is a resourceful person and makes delicious food with few ingredients.
Means a person with wisdom or practical intelligence, often used for someone who gives good advice.
知恵のある人に相談しよう。
Let's consult a clever person.
The direct translation 'clever person' as クレバーな人 is not natural Japanese. Use the expressions above depending on the nuance you want to convey.
頭がいい is the most common and neutral term for smart/clever. 賢い implies wisdom and good judgment, often with a moral dimension. 利口 leans toward practical cleverness, sometimes with a hint of cunning.