Usage note
聪明用来形容人很机灵，很有智慧。
cōngmíng lái yòng xíngrén gěi jīlíng, yǒu hǎo zhìhuì.
聪明 is used to describe someone who is smart and wise.
Context note
聪明常用于表扬孩子或学生，比如‘你真聪明’。
cōngmíng cháng yòngyú biāoyáng háizi huò xuéshēng, bǐrú ‘nǐ zhēn cōngmíng’.
聪明 is often used to praise children or students, such as 'You are really smart'.
5 examples
他很聪明，能很快学会新知识。
tā hěn cōng ming， néng hěn kuài xué huì xīn zhī shi。
He is very smart and can learn new knowledge quickly.
妈妈夸奖我聪明。
mā ma kuā jiǎng wǒ cōng ming。
Mom praised me for being smart.
老师说他很聪明，适合学数学。
lǎo shī shuō tā hěn cōng ming， shì hé xué shù xué。
The teacher said he is very smart and suitable for learning math.
他聪明地解决了问题。
tā cōng ming dì jiě jué le wèn tí。
He solved the problem cleverly.
聪明的孩子总是乐于学习新东西。
cōng ming de hái zi zǒng shì lè yú xué xí xīn dōng xī。
Smart children are always eager to learn new things.
5 mini stories
小明很聪明，他能很快学会新知识。
xiǎo míng hěn cōng ming， tā néng hěn kuài xué huì xīn zhī shi。
Xiaoming is very smart; he can learn new knowledge quickly.
妈妈夸奖小明聪明。
mā ma kuā jiǎng xiǎo míng cōng ming。
Mom praised Xiaoming for being smart.
老师说小明很聪明，适合学数学。
lǎo shī shuō xiǎo míng hěn cōng ming， shì hé xué shù xué。
The teacher said Xiaoming is very smart and suitable for learning math.
小明聪明地解决了问题。
xiǎo míng cōng ming dì jiě jué le wèn tí。
Xiaoming solved the problem cleverly.
聪明的孩子总是乐于学习新东西。
cōng ming de hái zi zǒng shì lè yú xué xí xīn dōng xī。
Smart children are always eager to learn new things.
Mini dialogue
数学题
A
这道题你会做吗？
Zhè dào tí nǐ huì zuò ma?
Can you do this problem?
B
会，你也很聪明，我们一起想想。
Huì, nǐ yě hěn cōngmíng, wǒmen yīqǐ xiǎng xiǎng.
Yes, you are also very smart, let's think about it together.
小猫咪
A
你家的小猫真聪明，会自己开门。
Nǐ jiā de xiǎo māo zhēn cōngmíng, huì zìjǐ kāimén.
Your kitten is so smart, it can open the door by itself.
B
是啊，它是一只聪明的小猫。
Shì a, tā shì yī zhī cōngmíng de xiǎo māo.
Yes, it is a smart little cat.
Related words and contrasts
opposite
笨
bèn
not smart; silly
Be careful, this can be unkind
similar
机灵
jīling
quick-witted; clever
Often describes a lively, quick-thinking person