知性(ちせい)

ちせい
noun
intelligence, intellect
cognition
1. intelligence, intellect
The faculty of reasoning, understanding, and thinking at a high level. Refers to the capacity for rational thought and learning, often with connotations of sophistication and cultivation.
知性(ちせい)を感(かん)じさせる人(ひと)だ。
That person gives off an air of intelligence.
知性(ちせい)と感性(かんせい)のバランスが大切(たいせつ)だ。
A balance between intellect and sensibility is important.
人間(にんげん)の知性(ちせい)は言語(げんご)によって大(おお)きく発達(はったつ)したと言(い)われている。
It is said that human intelligence developed greatly through language.

Usage

A somewhat formal and literary word. 知性(ちせい) implies a refined, cultivated form of intelligence — the kind associated with educated, thoughtful people. It differs from 知能(ちのう), which refers more to raw cognitive ability or IQ.

Writing

知(ち) means "to know" or "wisdom" and 性(せい) means "nature" or "quality." The compound refers to the inherent quality of knowing and understanding.

Similar words

  • 知能(ちのう): cognitive ability, IQ (more clinical/measurable)
  • 知恵(ちえ): practical wisdom, cleverness (more applied/everyday)
  • 知性(ちせい): intellect (more cultivated/sophisticated)

Common collocations

Related Words

Compare: 知能(ちのう) (cognitive ability (measurable))
Compare: 知恵(ちえ) (practical wisdom)
Related: 知的(ちてき) (intellectual (adjective))
Compare: 感性(かんせい) (sensitivity, sensibility, aesthetic sense)
Compare: 理性(りせい) (reason)
Compare: 知力(ちりょく) (intellect)
general
Added 2026.2.26 21:57 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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