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Kotomora

智

wisdom, intellect, reason

JLPTN1StatusJinmeiyōFrequencyTop 2,000Strokes12

Readings

On'yomi

  • チ

Kun'yomi

—

Nanori

  • さと
  • さとし
  • さとる
  • さとい

Meaning

智 centers on the capacity for deep understanding and sound judgment: wisdom, intellect, and the ability to reason clearly.

Most common words using 智

20 of 24
  • 明智めいち

    sagacity; wisdom; intelligence

  • 上智大学じょうちだいがく

    Sophia University

  • 上智じょうち

    supreme wisdom

  • 五智如来ごちにょらい

    five dhyani buddhas; five wisdom buddhas

  • 人智学じんちがく

    anthroposophy

  • 仁智じんち

    benevolence and wisdom

  • 仁義礼智信じんぎれいちしん

    the five Confucian virtues (benevolence, justice, courtesy, wisdom, and sincerity)

  • 仏智ぶっち

    omniscience (of a buddha)

  • 佞智ねいち

    craftiness

  • 多智たち

    great wisdom

  • 大円鏡智だいえんきょうち

    adarsa-jnana (great-perfect-mirror wisdom, wisdom clearly elucidating all things)

  • 奸智かんち

    cunning; craft; wiles

  • 早慶上智そうけいじょうち

    Waseda University, Keio University and Sophia University (three highly selective private universities in Tokyo)

  • 智を磨くちをみがく

    to cultivate wisdom

  • 智天使ちてんし

    cherubim; cherub

  • 智山派ちさんは

    Chisan sect (of Shingi Shingon Buddhism); Chizan sect

  • 智日ちにち

    Chile and Japan

  • 智水ちすい

    purifying wisdom of a buddha

  • 益智やくち

    bitter seeded cardamon

  • 神智学しんちがく

    theosophy

Explore all words using 智 →

Study

Etymology

智 is traditionally analyzed as 知 (to know) over 日 (sun), suggesting bright knowledge or illumination of the mind. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the component combination is well established.

Meaning mnemonic

Knowledge (知) shining like the sun (日) from above: 智 is the bright light of wisdom and intellect.

Reading mnemonic

For チ, imagine a wise person sipping tea (チ) while deep in thought: tea -> チ, and the warmth of the tea illuminates their wisdom.