Translation guide
The English word 'intelligent' covers a range of meanings from raw intellectual ability to cleverness and good judgment. In Japanese, different words are used depending on whether you mean academic smartness, quick-wittedness, or wise decision-making.
Describing someone who is intellectually gifted, academically capable, or has a high IQ.
The most common and natural way to say someone is smart or intelligent. Used in everyday conversation.
彼は本当に頭がいい。
He is really intelligent.
Often used for children or animals, implying cleverness and good sense. Can sound slightly cute or endearing.
賢い犬だね。
That's an intelligent dog.
Means 'intellectual' and is often used to describe a person's appearance, interests, or atmosphere. More formal than 頭がいい.
彼女は知的な会話が好きだ。
She enjoys intellectual conversations.
A formal, literary word meaning wise and intelligent. Often used in writing or formal speeches.
彼は聡明な指導者だ。
He is a wise and intelligent leader.
Describing someone who thinks fast, is mentally agile, or comes up with clever solutions.
Literally 'head rotation is fast', this is the go-to phrase for quick-wittedness.
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 resourceful and quick-thinking, especially in handling situations. Slightly more formal.
彼女は機転が利くので、トラブルにもうまく対応できる。
She's quick-witted, so she can handle troubles well.
Often used for children or pets, meaning clever and well-behaved. Can imply shrewdness in adults.
Describing decisions, actions, or people that demonstrate wisdom and sound judgment.
Means wise, sensible, prudent. Commonly used for decisions and actions.
それは賢明な選択だ。
That's an intelligent choice.
Means to have discretion and good judgment. Often used for mature, sensible people.
彼は分別があるから、無茶はしない。
He has good judgment, so he won't do anything reckless.
Describing intelligence in a particular area, often with a modifier.
Use this pattern to say someone has a talent for something, which often implies intelligence in that area.
彼は音楽の才能がある。
He is musically intelligent.
A slightly formal way to say someone excels at something.
彼女は数字に長けている。
She is intelligent with numbers.
The katakana word インテリジェント is used mainly in compound terms like インテリジェントビル (intelligent building) or in technical contexts. It is not used to describe people in natural Japanese.
彼はインテリジェントだ。
He is intelligent. (unnatural)
頭がいい is the most general and neutral way to say someone is intelligent. 賢い often implies cleverness and good judgment, and is frequently used for children, animals, or in a slightly endearing way. For adults, 頭がいい is safer unless you want to emphasize wisdom or cuteness.
What a clever child.