慧

huì

彗 + 心

Definitions

huì (adjective) intelligent; wise; smart

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 心 represents the meaning and 彗 represents the sound.

Semantic: 心 Phonetic: 彗

About

慧 is a phono-semantic compound representing intelligence, wisdom, and mental acuity. Its semantic radical for heart or mind (心) at the bottom anchors the character's meaning in cognition and psychological states. The upper portion, a phonetic component historically depicting a broom and also used for a comet, provides the pronunciation while the bottom radical solidifies the connection to mental and intellectual functions.

Etymology Hide

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他很有智慧。

Tā hěn yǒu zhìhuì.

He is very wise.

智慧使人进步。

Zhìhuì shǐ rén jìnbù.

Wisdom makes people progress.

她是个聪慧的孩子。

Tā shì gè cōnghuì de háizi.

She is a clever child.

他有慧眼识人才。

Tā yǒu huìyǎn shí réncái.

He has a discerning eye to recognize talent.

智慧来源于生活经验。

Zhìhuì láiyuán yú shēnghuó jīngyàn.

Wisdom comes from life experience.

她的慧心让人感动。

Tā de huìxīn ràng rén gǎndòng.

Her wise heart moves people.

通过读书可以增长智慧。

Tōngguò dúshū kěyǐ zēngzhǎng zhìhuì.

Through reading, one can increase wisdom.

他的慧根深厚，领悟力极强。

Tā de huìgēn shēnhòu, lǐngwù lì jí qiáng.

His innate wisdom is profound, and his comprehension is extremely strong.

Related Characters

Component: 彗

Component: 心

慧