inteligentes
/een-teh-lee-HEN-tes/
smart
The word inteligentes can describe clever people, like this girl solving a complex puzzle.
inteligentes(Adjective)
smart
?clever people
,intelligent
?people or animals
clever
?quick-witted
,bright
?describing students or ideas
📝 In Action
Mis hermanas son muy inteligentes y estudian medicina.
A1My sisters are very smart and study medicine.
Los delfines son animales acuáticos increíblemente inteligentes.
A2Dolphins are incredibly intelligent aquatic animals.
Necesitamos soluciones inteligentes para los problemas del tráfico.
B1We need smart solutions for the traffic problems.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement (Plural)
Since 'inteligente' ends in a vowel ('e'), you make it plural by adding '-s', resulting in 'inteligentes'. This word must match the number of the noun it describes.
Gender Neutrality
Unlike many Spanish adjectives, 'inteligente' uses the exact same form ('inteligentes') whether describing a group of males (los hombres) or a group of females (las mujeres).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Plural
Mistake: "Las chicas son inteligente."
Correction: Las chicas son inteligentes. (Remember to make the adjective plural when describing a plural group.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Positioning
In Spanish, adjectives like 'inteligentes' usually go after the noun they describe: 'los estudiantes inteligentes' (the smart students).
Inteligentes also refers to smart technology or systems, such as automated robots performing tasks efficiently.
inteligentes(Adjective)
smart
?technology/systems
,automated
?describing devices or processes
high-tech
?advanced systems
📝 In Action
Hoy en día, casi todos usamos teléfonos inteligentes para comunicarnos.
B1Nowadays, almost all of us use smart phones to communicate.
La ciudad está invirtiendo en sistemas de transporte inteligentes.
B2The city is investing in smart transportation systems.
💡 Grammar Points
Describing Technology
This meaning is often used to translate the English term 'smart' when referring to technology that can learn, connect, or automate tasks.
⭐ Usage Tips
Modern Context
If you are talking about technology, using 'inteligentes' is the correct and most natural way to describe systems that are digitally advanced or connected (like 'smart homes' or 'smartwatches').
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: inteligentes
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'inteligentes'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'inteligentes' not change to 'inteligentos' for masculine groups?
Adjectives in Spanish that end in the vowel 'e' (like 'verde,' 'grande,' and 'inteligente') are naturally gender-neutral in the singular. When they become plural, they simply add '-s' to form 'inteligentes,' which is used for both masculine and feminine groups.
Is 'listos' a good synonym for 'inteligentes'?
Yes, 'listos' (plural of 'listo') is a great synonym, but it can also mean 'ready.' When talking about mental quickness, 'listos' often implies cleverness or street smarts, while 'inteligentes' implies a deeper, general capacity for learning.