知 恵(ちえ)

ちえ

noun

wisdom, wit, intelligence

1. wisdom, intelligence

The quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; the ability to think and act using knowledge and experience.

彼(かれ)には生活(せいかつ)の知恵(ちえ)がある。

He has practical wisdom about life.

知恵(ちえ)を絞(しぼ)って解決策(かいけつさく)を考(かんが)える。

To rack one's brains to think of a solution.

知恵を絞る = to rack one's brains

お年寄(としよ)りの知恵(ちえ)に学(まな)ぶことは多(おお)い。

There is much to learn from the wisdom of the elderly.

2. wit, clever idea

A clever way to solve a problem or achieve something.

みんなの知恵(ちえ)を集(あつ)めよう。

Let's gather everyone's ideas.

知恵(ちえ)を出(だ)し合(あ)って問題(もんだい)を解決(かいけつ)した。

We solved the problem by pooling our ideas.

子供(こども)なりに知恵(ちえ)を使(つか)って工夫(くふう)していた。

The child was using their own cleverness to figure things out.

Common expressions

知恵(ちえ)を絞(しぼ)る (to rack one's brains)
知恵(ちえ)を借(か)りる (to seek advice/wisdom)
知恵(ちえ)を出(だ)す (to come up with ideas)
知恵(ちえ)がつく (to become wise/clever)
知恵(ちえ)袋(ぶくろ) (brain trust)

Compounds

知恵(ちえ)の輪(わ) (puzzle ring)
生活(せいかつ)の知恵(ちえ) (practical wisdom)

Similar words

知恵(ちえ): Wisdom (practical, experiential)
知識(ちしき): Knowledge (factual information)
知能(ちのう): Intelligence (cognitive ability)

Related Words

Related: 知識(ちしき) (knowledge)

Compare: 知性(ちせい) (intellect (cultivated))

Compare: 知能(ちのう) (Intelligence)

Compare: 工夫(くふう) (device)

Compare: 知力(ちりょく) (intellect)

Compare: 才覚(さいかく) (resourcefulness)

general

Added 2026.1.12 23:48 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

03000/03428_chie