Translation guide
The English word 'clever' covers a range of meanings from intelligent and quick-witted to skillfully made or ingenious. In Japanese, different words are used depending on whether you mean smart, shrewd, resourceful, or well-designed. This guide organizes the most useful Japanese expressions by the intended English meaning.
Describing a person who is smart, bright, or quick to understand.
The most common and natural way to say someone is smart or clever. Literally 'head is good'. Used for general intelligence.
彼は本当に頭がいい。
He is really clever.
Means wise, clever, or intelligent. Often used for children or animals, implying good judgment.
賢い犬だね。
That's a clever dog.
Clever, sensible, or well-behaved. Often used for children or pets. Can sound slightly old-fashioned.
利口な子ですね。
What a clever child.
Describing someone who is clever in a practical, sometimes cunning way.
Means shrewd, sharp, or not missing a trick. Implies alertness and practical cleverness.
彼は抜け目がないビジネスマンだ。
He is a clever businessman.
Cunning, sly, crafty. Has a negative nuance of being clever in a dishonest way.
ずる賢い手口だ。
That's a clever trick (with a negative connotation).
Worldly-wise, savvy. Literally 'skilled in worldly knowledge'. Used for someone who knows how to get by.
彼は世知に長けている。
He is clever about the ways of the world.
Describing someone who is clever at solving problems or thinking on their feet.
Quick-witted, resourceful. Literally 'wit works'. Used when someone comes up with a clever idea on the spot.
彼は機転が利くから、どんな問題も解決できる。
He is clever, so he can solve any problem.
Good at devising clever solutions or making improvements. Emphasizes ingenuity.
彼女は工夫が上手いから、狭い部屋でも快適に暮らせる。
She is clever at making the most of things, so she can live comfortably even in a small room.
Has wisdom or clever ideas. Often used for practical knowledge.
彼は知恵があるから、いいアイデアを出してくれる。
He is clever, so he comes up with good ideas.
Describing an object, plan, or idea that is cleverly made or thought out.
Ingenious, clever, elaborate. Used for plans, devices, or tricks that are skillfully designed.
巧妙な仕掛けだ。
It's a clever mechanism.
Well-made, cleverly done. A casual phrase for something that works well or is cleverly constructed.
このアプリはうまくできている。
This app is cleverly made.
Original, creative, ingenious. Emphasizes uniqueness and cleverness in design.
Describing someone who is clever with words or humor.
Witty, full of clever humor. Often used for speech or writing.
彼のスピーチは機知に富んでいた。
His speech was clever and witty.
Stylish, witty, clever. Often used for remarks or designs that are tastefully clever.
洒落た返しだね。
That's a clever comeback.
The English word 'clever' is broad. Using a single Japanese word like 賢い (kashikoi) in all situations can sound unnatural. Choose the expression that matches the specific nuance: intelligence, shrewdness, resourcefulness, or ingenuity.
頭がいい (atama ga ii) is the most common way to say someone is smart or clever in everyday conversation. 賢い (kashikoi) often implies wisdom and good judgment, and is frequently used for children or animals. For adults, 頭がいい is safer unless you want to emphasize sagacity.
That's a clever solution.