急智 (jí zhì) — quick-wittedness; resourcefulness under pressure

Definition

急智 means quick-wittedness — the ability to think and respond cleverly under pressure, not just being generally smart. It is less common than 聪明 and emphasizes sharp, on-the-spot problem-solving in a crisis or awkward moment.

noun
quick-wittednessresourcefulness under pressure
Easily confused

Examples

  • 急智。
    Tā zài miàn shì zhōng zhǎn xiàn le chū sè de jí zhì.
    He showed excellent quick-wittedness during the interview.
  • ，急智。
    Yù dào tū fā qíng kuàng, jí zhì bǐ zhī shi gèng zhòng yào.
    When encountering emergencies, quick-wittedness is more important than knowledge.
  • 急智，。
    Zhè wèi zhǔ chí rén yǐ jí zhì wén míng, zǒng néng huà jiě gān gà.
    This host is famous for his quick-wittedness and always resolves awkward situations.

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.

急jíurgent
智zhìwit

急 describes urgent situations and 智 gives wit, meaning quick-wittedness under pressure.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
心心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
及
及jí急jí
Same sound today

急 pairs 心 (heart) with 及, which gives the sound.

Open 急 →

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 →

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