(そうめい)

そうめい
adjective-na
wise; intelligent; clear-headed
1. wise; intelligent; bright; clear-headed
Describes a person of keen, well-balanced intelligence who grasps things quickly and judges wisely. A refined, complimentary word, often used of someone admirable rather than merely clever.
聡明(そうめい)女性(じょせい)だ。
She is an intelligent woman.
(かれ)(わか)いが聡明(そうめい)判断力(はんだんりょく)がある。
He is young but bright and has good judgment.
聡明(そうめい)彼女(かのじょ)は、複雑(ふくざつ)問題(もんだい)もすぐに理解(りかい)してしまう。
Being clear-headed, she immediately understands even complicated problems.

A complimentary, somewhat formal word praising a person's intelligence and good judgment. Used of people, not of objects or ideas.

CONJUGATION:

  • Negative: 聡明(そうめい)ではない
  • Te-form: 聡明(そうめい)
  • Past: 聡明(そうめい)だった

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • (かしこ)い: clever, smart — more everyday and can sound calculating; 聡明(そうめい) is more refined and admiring.
  • (あたま)がいい: smart — casual and neutral, about raw ability.
  • 利口(りこう): clever, shrewd — often of practical cleverness, and also used of animals.