superficial knowledge; shallow wisdom
Refers to knowledge or wisdom that is only surface-level, lacking depth or true understanding. Often used in contrast with 大知 (profound wisdom).
Antonyms: 大知
His opinion is nothing more than superficial knowledge and doesn't grasp the essence of the problem.
small fief
Only when written 小知
Archaic term for a minor feudal domain. Restricted to the kanji spelling 小知.
You shouldn't be satisfied with shallow wisdom; you should study more deeply.
In the early Edo period, many samurai were granted small fiefs.
supreme wisdom; sage
Standard kanji spelling for the sense of superficial knowledge; also the only form for the archaic 'small fief' sense.
Variant kanji spelling using 智 (wisdom) instead of 知 (knowledge); less common but attested.
Compound of 小 (small, shallow) and 知 (knowledge) or 智 (wisdom). The archaic 'small fief' sense is a separate usage of the same kanji combination.