inteligente
“inteligente” means “intelligent” in Spanish (describing mental ability).
intelligent, smart, clever
Also: bright
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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.
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Quick Quiz: inteligente
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
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👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word 'intelligens', which means 'to understand' or 'to perceive'. It's built from 'inter' (between) and 'legere' (to choose or read), so it literally meant someone who could 'read between' the lines!
First recorded: Around the 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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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'.