The word 聪明 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing to the overall meaning of intelligence or cleverness. 聪 (cōng) originally pertains to acute hearing or auditory perception, often associated with the ability to listen and understand keenly, while 明 (míng) signifies brightness, clarity, or visual acuity, derived from symbols representing the sun and moon. Together, they metaphorically represent heightened sensory perception, both in hearing and sight, which in Chinese thought extends to denote mental sharpness, discernment, and intellectual brightness, thus encapsulating the concept of being smart or clever through the fusion of these perceptual attributes.