Translation guide
Describes someone who thinks and responds quickly, often with cleverness or humor. Japanese has several adjectives and phrases that capture different nuances of being quick-witted.
彼は頭の回転が速い。
He is quick-witted.
Describing a person who is generally sharp, quick on the uptake, and able to understand or react immediately.
Literally 'head rotation is fast'. This is the most common and natural way to describe someone who is quick-witted in a general sense. It emphasizes mental speed and agility.
彼は本当に頭の回転が速いね。
He's really quick-witted, isn't he?
あの子は頭の回転が速くて、どんな質問にもすぐ答えられる。
That kid is so quick-witted, she can answer any question right away.
Means 'to be resourceful' or 'quick-thinking', especially in a situation that requires a clever or tactful response. Often used when someone handles an unexpected situation well.
彼女は機転が利くから、トラブルにもすぐ対応できる。
She's quick-witted, so she can handle trouble right away.
Literally 'clear/sharp'. Describes someone whose mind is sharp and alert, often used for being quick-witted in conversation or judgment. Can also mean 'in good form' mentally.
今日は冴えているね。
You're on the ball today.
A noun meaning 'sharp person' or 'clever person'. It implies not just quick thinking but also shrewdness and competence. Slightly literary or old-fashioned.
彼はなかなかの切れ者だ。
He's quite a sharp one.
Describing someone who can instantly come up with a clever, funny, or sharp retort.
A yojijukugo (four-character idiom) meaning 'ready wit' or 'quick and clever reply'. It specifically refers to the ability to make an apt and witty remark on the spot.
彼の当意即妙な返答に、みんなが笑った。
Everyone laughed at his quick-witted reply.
Literally 'to say something clever on the spur of the moment'. A more descriptive phrase for being quick-witted in conversation.
彼女はいつもとっさに気の利いたことを言う。
She always comes up with a witty remark on the spot.
Means 'full of wit'. Describes a person or remark that is witty, but not necessarily about speed. Often used for a style of humor.
彼のスピーチはウィットに富んでいた。
His speech was full of wit.
Describing someone who grasps concepts quickly, is a fast learner, or catches on immediately.
Literally 'swallowing is fast'. Means to be quick on the uptake, to understand things quickly. Very common in daily conversation.
新人だけど、飲み込みが早いね。
He's new, but he catches on fast.
Means 'to have good intuition' or 'to be quick on the uptake'. It implies an instinctive quickness in understanding situations or people.
彼女は勘がいいから、説明しなくてもわかる。
She's quick-witted, so she understands without explanation.
Literally 'understanding of things is good'. Describes someone who is quick to understand and reasonable. Often used for children or in teaching contexts.
このクラスの生徒は物分かりがいい。
The students in this class are quick on the uptake.
「頭の回転が速い」 is a general description of mental quickness. 「機転が利く」 specifically refers to resourcefulness and cleverness in handling situations, often with a nuance of tact or wit. Use the former for raw speed, the latter for clever adaptability.
彼は頭の回転が速いが、機転が利くかどうかはわからない。
He's quick-witted, but I don't know if he's resourceful.
Avoid directly translating 'quick-witted' as 「速い知恵」 or similar. It sounds unnatural. Use the idiomatic expressions provided.