Translation guide
Describes someone who has keen practical wisdom, good judgment, and deep insight, often from experience. In Japanese, this is expressed through words for wisdom, insight, and foresight, with nuances of intelligence and prudence.
Describing someone who shows deep understanding, good judgment, and practical wisdom.
Adjective meaning 'wise' or 'sensible', often used for decisions or people showing sound judgment.
彼は賢明な判断を下した。
He made a sagacious decision.
Adjective meaning 'intelligent and wise', often implying natural brightness and insight.
Describing actions or advice that demonstrate careful planning and anticipation of future events.
Phrase meaning 'to have foresight', literally 'to have the clarity of foresight'.
彼は先見の明がある。
He is sagacious; he has foresight.
賢明 (けんめい) emphasizes practical wisdom and good judgment in decisions, while 聡明 (そうめい) highlights innate intelligence and quick understanding. Use 賢明 for actions and advice, 聡明 for describing a person's natural wisdom.
English 'sagacious' is relatively rare and formal. In Japanese, directly translating it as a single adjective often sounds unnatural. Instead, use phrases like 賢明な判断 (wise judgment) or 先見の明がある (have foresight) depending on context.
彼女は聡明なリーダーだ。
She is a sagacious leader.
Adjective meaning 'sharp' or 'astute', emphasizing quick, clear-sighted judgment.
明敏な観察力を持つ。
Possesses sagacious observation skills.
Noun/adjectival noun meaning 'keen insight' or 'discernment', often used in literary or formal contexts.
彼の慧眼には驚かされる。
I am amazed by his sagacious insight.
Phrase meaning 'to have insight' or 'penetrating judgment', often used for deep understanding.
彼女の洞察力は素晴らしい。
Her sagacious insight is wonderful.
Four-character compound meaning 'deep foresight and long-range planning', very formal and literary.
深慮遠謀の策を練る。
Devise a sagacious, far-sighted strategy.