頭(あたま)がいい

Literally "head is good." The most natural and common way to express that someone is intelligent in casual Japanese. The opposite is 頭(あたま)が悪(わる)い (not smart, slow-witted), which is quite blunt and can be offensive.

Usage

Used freely in conversation but avoided in formal writing, where 聡明(そうめい)な or 知的(ちてき)な is preferred. Can refer to academic intelligence, quick thinking, or practical cleverness depending on context. Sometimes used sarcastically: 頭(あたま)がいいね can mean "aren't you clever" in an ironic way.

Common collocations

• 頭(あたま)がいい人(ひと) — a smart person
• 頭(あたま)が悪(わる)い — not smart, slow (opposite; blunt)
• 頭(あたま)の良(よ)さ — smartness, intelligence
• 頭(あたま)の良(い)い子(こ) — a bright child

Similar words

• 賢(かしこ)い — wise, clever (slightly more formal; includes practical wisdom)
• 聡明(そうめい)な — brilliant, sagacious (formal; literary)
• 利口(りこう)な — clever, shrewd (can imply street-smarts or being calculating)