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頭が切れる (あたまがきれる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, ichidan verb
sharp ; keen ; clever ; on the ball
idiomatic expression
Describes a person who is mentally sharp, quick-witted, or highly intelligent. Often used to praise someone's quick thinking or problem-solving ability.
He is really sharp, so he solves even difficult problems right away.
Written forms 頭あたま が 切き れる
Standard kanji spelling for this idiomatic expression.
頭あたま がきれる
Kana spelling of 切れる; common in casual writing.
Kanji 頭 head, counter for large animals Similar words 頭あたま がいい A more general term for being intelligent or smart. 頭が切れる emphasizes quick, sharp thinking rather than just being book-smart.
切き れ 者もの A noun meaning a sharp or capable person. 頭が切れる is the verbal phrase describing the same quality.
Etymology The expression literally means 'the head cuts well,' using 切れる (to cut well, to be sharp) metaphorically for mental sharpness. The exact origin is uncertain, but it is a common idiomatic phrase in modern Japanese.
