頭(あたま)の回転(かいてん)が速(はや)い

あたまのかいてんがはやい
expression
quick-witted; sharp-minded
1. quick-witted; sharp-minded; quick on the uptake
Describes a person who thinks fast, understands quickly, and responds well in the moment. A common and natural-sounding compliment.
あの人(ひと)は頭(あたま)の回転(かいてん)が速(はや)い。
That person is quick-witted.
頭(あたま)の回転(かいてん)が速(はや)いから、何(なに)を聞(き)いてもすぐに答(こた)えられる。
She's so sharp that she can answer any question right away.
営業(えいぎょう)の仕事(しごと)では、頭(あたま)の回転(かいてん)が速(はや)い人(ひと)が活躍(かつやく)しやすい。
In sales, quick-thinking people tend to do well.

Literally "the rotation of the head is fast." A vivid metaphor comparing quick thinking to a fast-spinning mechanism. Very natural and commonly used as a compliment. The opposite is 頭(あたま)の回転(かいてん)が遅(おそ)い (slow-witted), which is considered rude.

VARIATIONS:

  • 頭(あたま)の回転(かいてん)が速(はや)い: quick-witted (positive)
  • 頭(あたま)の回転(かいてん)が遅(おそ)い: slow-witted (negative/rude)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 頭(あたま)がいい: smart, intelligent — a more general compliment about intelligence
  • 機転(きてん)が利(き)く: resourceful, quick-thinking — emphasizes practical cleverness in the moment
  • 切(き)れ者(もの): a sharp person — a noun describing someone notably clever and capable
general
Added 2026.4.5 11:21 · Revised 2026.4.10 17:28
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