智

zhì

日 + 知

Definitions

zhì (noun) wisdom; intelligence

zhì (adjective) smart; clever

Etymology

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

About

This phono-semantic compound combines the phonetic 知 (to know) with the semantic 甘 (sweet). Originally sharing the same root as 知, it conveyed the basic notion of knowing or awareness. The addition of 甘, evoking something desirable or pleasing, elevates the meaning to wisdom, knowledge that is both insightful and valued. The phonetic 知 itself consists of 矢 (arrow) and 口 (mouth), hinting at speech that is direct and on target.

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

智慧很重要。

Zhìhuì hěn zhòngyào.

Wisdom is very important.

他的智力很高。

Tā de zhìlì hěn gāo.

His intelligence is very high.

智能手机很方便。

Zhìnéng shǒujī hěn fāngbiàn.

Smartphones are very convenient.

她用智慧解决了问题。

Tā yòng zhìhuì jiějué le wèntí.

She used wisdom to solve the problem.

智力游戏可以锻炼大脑。

Zhìlì yóuxì kěyǐ duànliàn dànǎo.

Intelligence games can exercise the brain.

智能家居提高了生活质量。

Zhìnéng jiājū tígāo le shēnghuó zhìliàng.

Smart homes improve the quality of life.

他的智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，我们可以增长智慧。

Tōngguò bùduàn xuéxí, wǒmen kěyǐ zēngzhǎng zhìhuì.

Through continuous learning, we can increase our wisdom.

Related Characters

Component: 日

Component: 知

Example Words