Definitions

zhì (noun) wisdom; intelligence
zhì (adjective) smart; clever

Etymology

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

About

The character "智", conveying the concept of wisdom or intelligence, originates from the structural amalgamation of "知", meaning to know or perceive, with the element "日", commonly denoting the sun but in this context historically linked to "曰" as a marker for speech, thereby suggesting a form of knowledge articulated and brought to light. This etymological construction points to an ancient association between comprehending truths and the clarity or dissemination of such understanding, with the character's meaning gradually specializing from general awareness to denote refined judgment, analytical depth, and philosophical insight over long periods of Chinese intellectual history. Its consistent graphical form, maintaining the alignment of "知" above "日", has preserved this conceptual foundation while the semantic focus shifted towards emphasizing cognitive discernment and practical acumen within both personal and governance contexts.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

慧很重要。

Zhìhuì hěn zhòngyào.

Wisdom is very important.

他的力很高。

Tā de zhìlì hěn gāo.

His intelligence is very high.

能手机很方便。

Zhìnéng shǒujī hěn fāngbiàn.

Smartphones are very convenient.

她用慧解决了问题。

Tā yòng zhìhuì jiějué le wèntí.

She used wisdom to solve the problem.

力游戏可以锻炼大脑。

Zhìlì yóuxì kěyǐ duànliàn dànǎo.

Intelligence games can exercise the brain.

能家居提高了生活质量。

Zhìnéng jiājū tígāo le shēnghuó zhìliàng.

Smart homes improve the quality of life.

他的谋在关键时刻发挥了作用。

Tā de zhìmóu zài guānjiàn shíkè fāhuī le zuòyòng.

His resourcefulness played a role at the critical moment.

通过不断学习,我们可以增长慧。

Tōngguò bùduàn xuéxí, wǒmen kěyǐ zēngzhǎng zhìhuì.

Through continuous learning, we can increase our wisdom.