Inklingo

How to Say "clever" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “clever” is “listo” — use 'listo' to describe someone who is quick-witted and generally intelligent, often implying they are smart enough to handle situations well or are the smartest in a group..

listo🔊A2

Use 'listo' to describe someone who is quick-witted and generally intelligent, often implying they are smart enough to handle situations well or are the smartest in a group.

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inteligente🔊A1

Use 'inteligente' for a general, direct description of someone's high intelligence or a smart idea, similar to 'intelligent' or 'smart'.

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brillante🔊B1

Use 'brillante' to describe someone exceptionally smart and talented, often in an academic or professional context, emphasizing outstanding ability.

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astuto🔊B1

Use 'astuto' when 'clever' implies cunning, slyness, or shrewdness, particularly when someone uses their intelligence to outsmart others or achieve a goal, sometimes with a slightly negative connotation.

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despierto🔊B1

Use 'despierto' to describe someone who is mentally alert, sharp, and quick to understand or react, especially in business or practical matters.

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ingenioso🔊B1

Use 'ingenioso' to describe someone or something witty, inventive, and quick with clever ideas or remarks, often in a creative or humorous way.

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vivo🔊B1

Use 'vivo' for someone who is sharp, alert, and quick-thinking, but be aware it can sometimes imply being sly, street-smart, or even a bit mischievous.

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avisado🔊B2

Use 'avisado' to describe someone who is wise, prudent, and cautious, possessing a shrewd understanding that prevents them from being easily deceived.

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English → Spanish

listo

/lees-toh//ˈlisto/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'listo' to describe someone who is quick-witted and generally intelligent, often implying they are smart enough to handle situations well or are the smartest in a group.
A colorful illustration of a child successfully placing the final piece of a complex jigsaw puzzle, with a small, bright lightbulb illuminating above their head, symbolizing cleverness and intelligence.

Examples

Mi hermana es la más lista de la clase.

My sister is the smartest in the class.

Es un perro muy listo, aprende los trucos rápido.

He's a very smart dog, he learns tricks quickly.

Tienes que ser muy listo para resolver este problema.

You have to be very clever to solve this problem.

Always Use with 'Ser'

To describe someone as smart or clever, you must use the verb 'ser'. Think of 'smart' as a personality trait or a characteristic, and 'ser' is the verb for characteristics. For example, 'Ella es muy lista' (She is very smart).

Using 'Estar' Instead of 'Ser'

Mistake: “Mi profesor está muy listo.”

Correction: Mi profesor es muy listo. Saying 'está listo' means your teacher is 'ready' for something. To say he is an intelligent person, you must use 'ser'.

inteligente

/in-te-li-HEN-te//in.te.liˈxen.te/

AdjectiveA1General
Use 'inteligente' for a general, direct description of someone's high intelligence or a smart idea, similar to 'intelligent' or 'smart'.
A young child sitting at a table, focused and smiling while successfully placing the final, uniquely shaped piece into a colorful wooden puzzle, symbolizing intelligence and cleverness.

Examples

Mi hermana es muy inteligente; siempre saca buenas notas.

My sister is very intelligent; she always gets good grades.

Los delfines son animales increíblemente inteligentes.

Dolphins are incredibly intelligent animals.

Fue una decisión inteligente no salir con esta lluvia.

It was a smart decision not to go out in this rain.

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).

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'.

brillante

bree-YAHN-tay/bɾiˈʎante/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'brillante' to describe someone exceptionally smart and talented, often in an academic or professional context, emphasizing outstanding ability.
A young person with a thoughtful and confident expression, holding a single, simple, completed wooden puzzle piece, illustrating cleverness.

Examples

Tu hermano es un estudiante brillante; siempre saca las mejores notas.

Your brother is a brilliant student; he always gets the best grades.

La actriz tuvo una actuación brillante en la obra de teatro.

The actress gave a brilliant performance in the play.

El plan que propusiste es realmente brillante.

The plan you proposed is truly brilliant.

Describing Qualities

Use 'brillante' with the verb ser (like 'es' or 'son') because it describes a fundamental, lasting quality of a person or idea, not a temporary state.

astuto

ah-STOO-toh/asˈtuto/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'astuto' when 'clever' implies cunning, slyness, or shrewdness, particularly when someone uses their intelligence to outsmart others or achieve a goal, sometimes with a slightly negative connotation.
A cunning fox wearing a small vest, sitting at a miniature wooden table with a chessboard, contemplating its next strategic move.

Examples

El zorro es un animal muy astuto.

The fox is a very cunning animal.

Ella es una negociadora astuta; siempre consigue el mejor precio.

She is a shrewd negotiator; she always gets the best price.

Necesitas ser astuto para ganar este juego de estrategia.

You need to be clever to win this strategy game.

Agreement is Key

As an adjective, 'astuto' must match the person or thing it describes in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural): astuto (m. sing.), astuta (f. sing.), astutos (m. plur.), astutas (f. plur).

Confusing Cleverness

Mistake: “Using 'astuto' when you just mean generally 'smart' (like good grades).”

Correction: Use 'inteligente' or 'listo' for general smartness. 'Astuto' implies a specific, often strategic or crafty type of cleverness.

despierto

des-PYEHR-toh/desˈpjeɾto/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'despierto' to describe someone who is mentally alert, sharp, and quick to understand or react, especially in business or practical matters.
A smiling child quickly placing the final piece into a colorful wooden block puzzle, demonstrating cleverness and mental quickness.

Examples

Es un hombre de negocios muy despierto.

He is a very sharp businessman.

La niña es muy despierta y aprende rápido.

The girl is very clever and learns quickly.

Figurative Sense

In this meaning, 'despierto' describes a lasting quality, so it often pairs with 'ser' (to be permanent) to talk about someone's character: 'Es despierto' (He is clever).

ingenioso

/een-hen-YOH-soh//ĩnxeˈnjoso/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'ingenioso' to describe someone or something witty, inventive, and quick with clever ideas or remarks, often in a creative or humorous way.
A friendly fox with a clever smile telling a joke to a group of laughing forest animals.

Examples

Su discurso fue muy ingenioso y todos se rieron.

His speech was very witty and everyone laughed.

Es un niño ingenioso que siempre tiene una respuesta para todo.

He is a clever boy who always has an answer for everything.

Gender Agreement

Remember that this word must match the person or thing you are describing. Use 'ingenioso' for masculine words and 'ingeniosa' for feminine words.

Ingenioso vs. Genial

Mistake: “Using 'ingenioso' to mean 'great' or 'awesome'.”

Correction: Use 'genial' for 'great'. Use 'ingenioso' specifically for someone who is 'clever' or 'funny' in a smart way.

vivo

/bee-boh//'bibo/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'vivo' for someone who is sharp, alert, and quick-thinking, but be aware it can sometimes imply being sly, street-smart, or even a bit mischievous.
A cheerful child quickly and energetically completing a colorful wooden block puzzle, showing quick understanding.

Examples

Es una niña muy viva, siempre está haciendo preguntas.

She's a very sharp/lively girl, she's always asking questions.

Tienes que ser muy vivo para tener éxito en este negocio.

You have to be very clever to succeed in this business.

Use with 'Ser'

When describing personality traits like being sharp or clever, you use the verb 'ser' (e.g., 'Ella es muy viva'). This is because you're talking about a more permanent characteristic.

avisado

/ah-bee-SAH-doh//aβiˈsaðo/

AdjectiveB2General
Use 'avisado' to describe someone who is wise, prudent, and cautious, possessing a shrewd understanding that prevents them from being easily deceived.
A small fox looking thoughtfully at a complex wooden puzzle box, holding a key it found nearby.

Examples

Es un hombre avisado que no se deja engañar fácilmente.

He is a shrewd man who isn't easily fooled.

The 'Wise' Meaning

In this context, the word usually comes after the noun (e.g., 'un inversor avisado') to describe a permanent quality of being smart and careful.

Choosing between 'listo' and 'astuto'

Learners often confuse 'listo' and 'astuto'. 'Listo' generally implies being smart and quick-witted in a neutral or positive way. 'Astuto' leans more towards cunning or slyness, often implying manipulation or a hidden motive.

Related Translations

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