also: こさい
noun
cleverness; quick wit; small talent
Refers to a modest or minor cleverness, often with a nuance of being a 'small talent' rather than profound wisdom. Can be used humbly about oneself or critically about someone else's shallow cleverness.
彼は小才が利く男だ。
He is a man of quick wit.
小才に頼ってはいけない。
Don't rely on mere cleverness.
Compound of 小 (small) and 才 (talent, ability). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word has been used in classical and modern Japanese to denote minor cleverness.