Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Words Kanji Guides About

知恵比べ (ちえくらべ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

知ち恵え比くらべ

ち

え

く

ら

べ

Meanings

1

noun

battle of wits; contest of wits

A competition or game where intelligence, cleverness, or strategic thinking determines the winner.

あの二人ふたりの議ぎ論ろんはまるで知ち恵え比くらべのようだ。
Their debate is like a battle of wits.
子こ供どもたちはなぞなぞで知ち恵え比くらべをした。
The children had a contest of wits with riddles.

Written forms

知ち恵え比くらべ
Standard kanji spelling.
知ち恵え競くらべ
Variant using 競; less common.

Kanji

知know, wisdom
恵favor, blessing, grace

比compare, race, ratio

競emulate, compete with, bid

Similar words

頭ず脳のう戦せん
頭脳戦 emphasizes a strategic or intellectual battle, often in a more serious or competitive context, while 知恵比べ can be lighter and more playful.
知ち恵え
知恵 means 'wisdom' or 'intelligence' itself, whereas 知恵比べ refers to the act of competing using that intelligence.

Etymology

Compound of 知恵 (chie, 'wisdom') and 比べ (kurabe, 'comparison, contest').