賢い（かしこい、kashikoi）
- smart

The Japanese word 賢い, read かしこい (kashikoi), primarily means "clever," "wise," "smart," or "intelligent." It describes someone who possesses the ability to think and understand things quickly and easily, and to make good decisions. The word often implies a level of prudence and good judgment. 賢い goes beyond just being book-smart; it can also encompass street smarts and practical intelligence. The word can also describe something that is smart, or ingenious.

⚫︎ あの子供はとても賢い Translation: That child is very smart. ⚫︎ 彼女は賢い解決策を見つけた Translation: She found a clever solution. ⚫︎ 賢く生きることは大切だ Translation: It is important to live wisely.

You can use 賢い to describe a person's intellectual abilities, their ability to make good choices, or the intelligence behind a plan or strategy. It’s a versatile adjective. Be mindful that in some contexts, it can come across as slightly formal, or even subtly condescending if you are using it to describe someone.

賢い is typically written with the kanji 賢 (pronounced かしこ) combined with the hiragana い (i). The hiragana spelling かしこい is also perfectly acceptable and used frequently. The okurigana is い.

⚫︎ 頭がいい (atama ga ii) - “smart” or "intelligent." ⚫︎ 利口な (rikou na) - "clever" or "smart" (can also imply a degree of craftiness) ⚫︎ 聡明な (soumei na) - "intelligent," "bright," or "shrewd" (more formal) ⚫︎ 有能な (yuunou na) - "capable," "competent."

⚫︎ 愚かな (orokana) - "foolish" ⚫︎ 馬鹿な (baka na) - "stupid" ⚫︎ 間抜けな (manuke na) - "foolish" or "slow-witted" ⚫︎ 鈍い (nibui) - "dull" or "slow"

彼は賢い選択をした ・Translation: He made a smart choice. ・Explanation: This sentence describes someone who made a good decision, implying intelligence and good judgment.

賢い犬は飼い主の指示をよく理解する ・Translation: A smart dog understands its owner's instructions well. ・Explanation: This sentence describes a dog's intelligence.

The kanji 賢 (かしこ) combines elements related to the concept of “wise” or “virtuous.” The origin of the word かしこい is thought to be from the verb かしこまる (kashikomaru), meaning "to be respectful" or "to understand respectfully". This suggests a link between knowledge, understanding, and the ability to act thoughtfully.