聪 (cōng) - Intelligent, clever, sharp hearing, acute sense of hearing & describes mental quickness and keen perception.

聪Tone 1

cōng ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

聪 · cōng

Intelligent, clever, sharp hearing, acute sense of hearing;

describes mental quickness and keen perception.

Intelligent, clever, sharp hearing, acute sense of hearingdescribes mental quickness and keen perception.

Usage highlights

IntelligentBright and cleverKeen hearingIntelligence and wisdomBright and quickAcute hearing and clear vision

Synonyms

  • 智— wisdom, knowledge
  • 慧— intelligent, bright
  • 明— bright, clear-sighted

Antonyms

  • 笨— stupid, foolish
  • 蠢— silly, stupid
  • 愚— foolish, stupid

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He is a very smart child (聪明的孩子).
  • She has keen hearing (耳聪).
  • The student is bright and studious (聪颖的学生).
  • Use your intelligence to solve the problem (用你的聪明才智).

Collocations

  • Intelligent(聪明)
  • Bright and clever(聪慧)
  • Keen hearing(耳聪)
  • Intelligence and wisdom(聪智)
  • Bright and quick-witted(聪颖)
  • Acute hearing and clear vision(聪明耳目)

Idioms

  • Acute hearing and clear vision(耳聪目明)
  • Pretending to be clever(自作聪明)
  • The wise learn from the foolish(聪明反被聪明误)
  • Born intelligent(冰雪聪明)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character 聪 combines 耳 (ear) and 总 (gather), suggesting the gathering of auditory information leading to understanding.
  • In traditional Chinese thought, intelligence was closely linked with sensory acuity, particularly hearing.
  • Being called 聪明 is a high compliment regarding both intellectual ability and perceptiveness.

FAQ