Definitions

huì (adjective) intelligent; wise; smart

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "慧", which signifies wisdom or intelligence in modern Chinese, is constructed from the components 彗, meaning "broom", and 心, meaning "heart" or "mind". This structural composition suggests an original conceptual metaphor of sweeping or clearing the mind, thereby achieving clarity and keen discernment. Over time, the meaning of "慧" expanded from this foundational idea of mental acuity to encompass a broader, more refined sense of wisdom, often associated with spiritual insight or enlightened understanding, particularly within Buddhist philosophical contexts where it denotes a penetrating awareness of reality's true nature. Its traditional form remains unchanged by simplification processes, preserving this ancient pictorial logic within its contemporary usage.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他很有智

Tā hěn yǒu zhìhuì.

He is very wise.

使人进步。

Zhìhuì shǐ rén jìnbù.

Wisdom makes people progress.

她是个聪的孩子。

Tā shì gè cōnghuì de háizi.

She is a clever child.

他有眼识人才。

Tā yǒu huìyǎn shí réncái.

He has a discerning eye to recognize talent.

来源于生活经验。

Zhìhuì láiyuán yú shēnghuó jīngyàn.

Wisdom comes from life experience.

她的心让人感动。

Tā de huìxīn ràng rén gǎndòng.

Her wise heart moves people.

通过读书可以增长智

Tōngguò dúshū kěyǐ zēngzhǎng zhìhuì.

Through reading, one can increase wisdom.

他的根深厚,领悟力极强。

Tā de huìgēn shēnhòu, lǐngwù lì jí qiáng.

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