聡明(そうめい)

そうめい
na-adjective
wise; intelligent; clear-headed
formaldescriptive
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)な女性(じょせい)だ。
She is an intelligent woman.
彼(かれ)は若(わか)いが聡明(そうめい)で判断力(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)な彼女(かのじょ)は、複雑(ふくざつ)な問題(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.

Forms

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

Similar words

  • 賢(かしこ)い: clever, smart — more everyday and can sound calculating; 聡明(そうめい) is more refined and admiring.
  • 頭(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.

Related Words

Compare: 賢(かしこ)い (clever, smart)
Compare: 頭(あたま)がいい (smart)
Compare: 利口(りこう) (clever, shrewd)
general
Added 2026.5.28 11:09 · Revised 2026.10.4 3:25
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