聪敏 (cōngmǐn): bright and sharp

Meanings

1 bright and sharp
2 quick-witted
3 intelligent

Characters

聪

cōng

acute hearing / clever

敏

mǐn

nimble / sharp

Examples

这孩子聪敏好学，将来一定有出息。

Zhè háizi cōngmǐn hàoxué, jiānglái yīdìng yǒu chūxi.

This child is quick-witted and loves to learn — he'll go far.

她头脑聪敏，反应很快。

Tā tóunǎo cōngmǐn, fǎnyìng hěn kuài.

She has a sharp mind and quick reactions.

Tips

usage

Near-synonym of the more common 聪明 cōngmíng. 聪敏 emphasizes mental quickness/sharpness (敏 mǐn = nimble, alert), while 聪明 emphasizes overall cleverness. 聪敏 is slightly more literary — common in essays and praise of children's intellect.