inteligente
/in-te-li-HEN-te/
📝 In Action
Mi hermana es muy inteligente; siempre saca buenas notas.
A1My sister is very intelligent; she always gets good grades.
Los delfines son animales increíblemente inteligentes.
A2Dolphins are incredibly intelligent animals.
Fue una decisión inteligente no salir con esta lluvia.
B1It was a smart decision not to go out in this rain.
Necesitamos un teléfono inteligente para usar esta aplicación.
B1We need a smartphone to use this app.
💡 Grammar Points
One Form for Everyone
'Inteligente' is great because it doesn't change for men or women. You say 'un hombre inteligente' (a smart man) and 'una mujer inteligente' (a smart woman). It stays the same!
Making it Plural
To talk about more than one person or thing, just add an 's' at the end. For example, 'los estudiantes inteligentes' (the smart students).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Ser' vs. 'Estar'
Mistake: "Estoy inteligente hoy."
Correction: Use 'ser' for intelligence, as it's a personality trait. Always say 'Soy inteligente' (I am intelligent), not 'Estoy inteligente'.
⭐ Usage Tips
More Than Just People
You can use 'inteligente' for more than just people! It can describe a clever plan ('un plan inteligente'), a witty comment ('un comentario inteligente'), or even technology like a 'teléfono inteligente' (smartphone).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: inteligente
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'inteligente' and 'listo'?
They both mean 'smart', but 'listo/a' often implies being quick-witted, clever, or ready. 'Inteligente' usually refers to a deeper, more book-smart kind of intelligence. For example, a student who studies hard is 'inteligente', while a friend who always has a clever comeback is 'listo'.
Can I use 'inteligente' to describe a smart outfit?
Not really. In English, 'smart' can mean stylish, but in Spanish, 'inteligente' is almost always about mental ability. To say someone is dressed smartly, you would use 'elegante'.