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智力 (zhì lì) — intelligence; intellect

Definition

智力 refers to cognitive ability or IQ — measurable, tested intellect (e.g., 智力测试). 智慧 is deeper wisdom, and 智商 is literally 'IQ score'. 脑子 is the everyday word for 'brain/mind'.

noun
intelligenceintellect

Examples

  • 智力。
    zhì lì Kě yǐ tōng guò xué xí hé xùn liàn lái tí gāo.
    Intelligence can be improved through learning and training.
  • 智力。
    Zhè ge zhì lì cè shì tí hěn nán.
    This intelligence test question is very difficult.
  • 智力。
    Jiě jué fù zá wèn tí xū yào yí dìng de zhì lì.
    Solving complex problems requires a certain level of intelligence.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

智zhìwisdom
力lìability

智 means wisdom and 力 means ability, so together they express the ability to think, i.e. intelligence.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The early form 智 used 大 (adult), 口 (mouth), and 子 (child): an adult speaking to pass knowledge to a child.

Open 智 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

力 is drawn as either an arm bending out from the side of the body or a wooden plough.

Open 力 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6HSK 2.0 Level 6Thinking & Cognition

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