1.
clever idea — a particularly good or ingenious idea or plan, often one that elegantly solves a tricky problem
A clever, ingenious, or particularly well-suited idea — often one that resolves a problem that seemed difficult, or that is noticeably more elegant than ordinary proposals. Frequently used in phrases expressing that someone has or has not come up with such an idea.
Compound of 妙 ('ingenious, marvelous, uncanny') and 案 ('plan, idea, proposal').
Usage
- Implies a noticeably bright or clever idea, not just any idea — there is a sense of admiration built into the word.
- Commonly appears in set expressions like 妙案が浮かぶ ('a clever idea comes to mind') and 妙案がない ('I can't come up with a clever idea').
- Slightly literary or formal in feel; in very casual conversation, speakers are more likely to use いいアイデア or いい考え.
Common collocations
- 妙案を思いつく: to think up a clever idea
- 妙案が浮かぶ: a clever idea comes to mind
- 妙案を出す: to offer/propose a clever idea
- 妙案がない: to have no good ideas / to be at a loss
Similar words
- 名案: excellent idea — very close in meaning; 名案 emphasizes that the idea is outstanding, while 妙案 emphasizes cleverness or ingenuity.
- 良案: good idea, good plan — somewhat more formal and less common; emphasizes soundness rather than cleverness.
- いい考え: good idea — the everyday, conversational equivalent.
- アイデア: idea — a loanword, neutral in register; common in everyday speech.