機 知(きち)

きち

noun

wit, quick-wittedness

formalcommunication personality

1. wit, quick-wittedness, ingenuity

The ability to respond cleverly and appropriately in the moment, especially in conversation.

機知(きち)に富(と)んだ返答(へんとう)だ。

That's a witty reply.

彼女(かのじょ)は機知(きち)に富(と)んだ人(ひと)だ。

She is a witty person.

司会者(しかいしゃ)の機知(きち)に富(と)んだトークで会場(かいじょう)が盛(も)り上(あ)がった。

The venue was livened up by the host's witty talk.

A somewhat literary or formal word for wit and quick thinking. Almost always appears in the set phrase 機知(きち)に富(と)む (to be rich in wit).

Common collocations

機知(きち)に富(と)む — to be witty, to be full of wit
機知(きち)に富(と)んだ — witty (as modifier)
機知(きち)に富(と)んだ会話(かいわ) — witty conversation
機知(きち)に富(と)んだスピーチ — a witty speech

Usage

This word is rarely used outside the set phrase 機知(きち)に富(と)む/富(と)んだ. It is more common in written language, book reviews, and formal descriptions of people.

Similar words

ユーモア — humor (loanword, broader)
ウィット — wit (loanword, same meaning)
頓知(とんち) — clever response, quick thinking (often associated with riddles and folk tales)

Related Words

Compare: ユーモア (humor)

general

Added 2026.3.27 11:12 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

19500/19837_kichi