Translation guide
The ability to think quickly, solve problems, or find smart solutions. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various words and phrases that emphasize different aspects: quick-wittedness, ingenuity, practical intelligence, or craftiness. The most common and natural way to describe a clever person is 頭がいい (atama ga ii), literally 'head is good,' which broadly covers intelligence and quick thinking. Other expressions highlight specific nuances like resourcefulness or sharpness.
Describing someone who is smart, sharp, or quick-witted in a general sense.
The most common and natural way to say someone is clever or smart. It implies both intelligence and quick thinking.
彼は本当に頭がいい。
He is really clever.
Clever people solve problems quickly.
Means wise, intelligent, or clever. Often used for children or animals showing smart behavior. Can sound slightly formal or literary.
賢い犬だね。
What a clever dog!
彼女は賢い選択をした。
She made a clever choice.
Means clever, sensible, or shrewd. Often used for children or pets, implying they are well-behaved and smart. Can have a nuance of being 'too clever' or cunning in some contexts.
利口な子だ。
He's a clever boy.
Emphasizing the ability to think on one's feet, respond quickly, or grasp things instantly.
Literally 'head's rotation is fast.' Describes someone who is quick-witted, sharp, and thinks fast.
彼は頭の回転が速いから、どんな質問にもすぐ答えられる。
He's quick-witted, so he can answer any question immediately.
Means to be quick-witted, resourceful, or able to think on one's feet, especially in a tricky situation.
機転が利く人なら、このピンチを切り抜けられるだろう。
A quick-witted person could get out of this pinch.
Means sharp, clear-headed, or on the ball. Often used to describe someone's mind or thinking when they are particularly alert and clever.
今日は頭が冴えている。
My mind is sharp today.
Describing cleverness in devising solutions, being inventive, or using resources well.
Refers to ingenuity, resourcefulness, or devising a clever way to do something. Often used as a noun or verb (工夫する).
彼の工夫で作業がずっと楽になった。
His clever idea made the work much easier.
もっと工夫しないと、時間がかかりすぎる。
We need to be more resourceful, or it'll take too long.
Means wisdom, wit, or intelligence. Often implies practical cleverness or good ideas. Used in phrases like 知恵を絞る (to rack one's brains).
A compound meaning creativity and ingenuity. Often used in business or technical contexts to praise innovative solutions.
Describing cleverness that is sly, manipulative, or street-smart.
Means sly, cunning, or crafty in a negative sense. Implies using cleverness for selfish or dishonest purposes.
あいつはずる賢いから気をつけて。
Watch out for him; he's cunning.
Similar to ずる賢い, meaning crafty or wily. Slightly stronger negative connotation.
Means impertinently clever, smart-alecky, or trying to be too clever. Often used to criticize someone who is being a know-it-all or using shallow cleverness.
Describing something (an object, plan, or idea) that is cleverly made or thought out.
Means ingenious, clever, or skillful. Often used for plans, designs, or tricks that are well-crafted.
巧妙な仕掛けだ。
That's a clever mechanism.
犯人の巧妙な手口に驚いた。
I was amazed at the criminal's clever method.
Means skillful, good, or clever. Very common in casual speech to praise a smart move or well-done action.
うまい考えだね！
That's a clever idea!
Means thoughtful, considerate, or clever in a practical way. Often used for things or actions that show good sense or attention to detail.
There is no single Japanese noun that perfectly matches 'cleverness' in all contexts. Instead, use phrases like 頭の良さ (atama no yosa, 'smartness') or 賢さ (kashikosa, 'wisdom/cleverness'), but these are less common. It's usually more natural to describe the person or action as clever using adjectives or verbs.
頭がいい is the most common and neutral way to say someone is clever/smart. 賢い often implies wisdom and good judgment, and is frequently used for children or animals. 利口 is similar but can sometimes imply being shrewd or cunning.
Let's put our heads together and solve it.
この製品には創意工夫が詰まっている。
This product is full of clever innovations.
悪賢い手口で騙された。
I was tricked by a cunning scheme.
小賢しい真似をするな。
Don't get smart with me.
It's a clever design.
彼は気が利くから、いつも先回りして準備してくれる。
He's clever and thoughtful, so he always prepares things in advance.