聪颖 (cōng yǐng) — intelligent, bright, clever

Definition

Literary/formal word for 'intelligent, bright' — stronger and more written than 聪明, usually praising exceptional talent. Common in phrases like 聪颖过人 and written descriptions of children.

adjective
intelligentbrightclever

Examples

  • 聪颖，。
    Zhè ge hái zi fēi cháng cōng yǐng, lǎo shī hěn xǐ huan tā.
    This child is very intelligent; the teacher really likes him.
  • 聪颖，。
    Tā cōng yǐng guò rén, néng zài duǎn shí jiān nèi xué huì xīn jì néng.
    She is exceptionally bright and can learn new skills in a short time.
  • ，聪颖，。
    Tā xiě de wén zhāng sī lù qīng xī, yǔ yán cōng yǐng, lìng rén pèi fú.
    His articles have clear logic and clever language, which is admirable.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

聪cōngclever
颖yǐngbright

聪 and 颖 both describe a quick, clever mind, giving intelligence.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 聰; 聪 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
心心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
囪
囪cōng聰cōng
Same sound today

The traditional form 聰 has 耳, the ear, beside a right side made of 囪, a window giving the sound, over 心, the heart; the simplified 聪 is a later abbreviation.

Open 聪 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 穎; 颖 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
禾禾hégrain
Sound part声符shēngfú
頃
頃qǐng穎yǐng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 穎 pairs 禾 (grain) with 頃, which gives the pronunciation; the simplified 颖 is a later shorthand.

Open 颖 →

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