Meaning of 智能
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- intelligent
- able
- smart (phone, system, bomb etc)
How to use 智能
智能 is mostly used for technology. It often comes before a noun to describe smart devices or systems, and it also appears in 人工智能 (rénɡōnɡ zhìnéng), artificial intelligence. Example: 我买了一部智能手机。(Wǒ mǎi le yí bù zhìnéng shǒujī.) I bought a smartphone.
智 (zhì) means wisdom and 能 (néng) means ability. Put them together and you get the ability that comes from wisdom, which is what makes a machine or system "smart".
Common mistake: Learners mix up 智能 (zhìnéng) with 只能 (zhǐ néng, can only) because they sound almost the same. Watch the tone: 智 is fourth tone and 只 is third tone. Also avoid using 智能 to call a person smart. Use 聪明 (cōngming) for that.
智能 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
智 zhì · wisdom · 12 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
能 néng · can · 10 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
Related words
Words that share a character with 智能.
| 可能 | kěnéng | might (happen); possible |
| 只能 | zhǐ néng | can only; obliged to do sth |
| 能够 | nénggòu | to be capable of; to be able to |
| 才能 | cáinéng | talent; ability |
| 能力 | nénglì | capability; ability |
| 功能 | gōngnéng | function; capability |
| 能不能 | néng bu néng | |
| 能干 | nénggàn | capable; competent |
| 智力 | zhìlì | intelligence; intellect |
| 能量 | néngliàng | energy; capabilities |
| 尽可能 | jìn kěnéng | as far as possible; to the best of one's ability |
| 技能 | jìnéng | technical ability; skill |
Questions about 智能
What does 智能 mean?
智能 (zhìnéng) means "intelligent; able" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 智能?
智能 is made of 2 characters: 智 (12 strokes), 能 (10 strokes). That is 22 strokes in total.
Is 智能 an HSK word?
Yes. 智能 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 智能 and 聪明?
智能 usually describes machines, systems, and technology, such as 智能家居 (zhìnéng jiājū), smart home. 聪明 (cōngming) is the normal word for a clever person or animal.
How do you say AI in Chinese?
AI is 人工智能 (réngōng zhìnéng), literally "man-made intelligence". In casual speech and writing, many Chinese speakers also just say "AI".