とんち

と

ん

ち

Meanings

usually written using kana alone

Refers to the ability to think quickly and cleverly, often in a playful or humorous way. Commonly associated with the witty responses of the historical figure Ikkyū.

彼かれはとんちが利きくから、どんな質しつ問もんにもすぐ答こたえられる。
He's quick-witted, so he can answer any question right away.
一いっ休きゅうさんのとんち話ばなしは子こ供どもたちに人にん気きがある。
Stories about Ikkyū's cleverness are popular with children.

See all 6 example sentences ›

Kanji

頓suddenly, immediately, in a hurry
知know, wisdom
智wisdom, intellect, reason

Related words

機き知ち
機知 also means 'wit', but it is more formal and often refers to refined, intellectual wit, while とんち is more casual and playful.
ユーモア
ユーモア is a broader term for 'humor', while とんち specifically emphasizes quick, clever thinking.

Written forms

とんちUsage25%
Usually written in kana; the kanji forms 頓知 and 頓智 are rare.
頓とん智ちUsage50%
Rare kanji spelling; 智 is a variant of 知, but the word is normally written in kana.
トンチUsage15%
頓とん知ちUsage10%
Rare kanji spelling; 頓 means 'sudden' and 知 means 'wisdom', but the word is normally written in kana.

Etymology

The exact origin is uncertain. The kanji 頓 (sudden) and 知 (wisdom) suggest 'sudden wisdom', but the word is usually written in kana. It may have developed from the idea of a quick, intuitive flash of insight.