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How To Say "Smart" In Spanish

Are you looking for the best way to say "smart" in Spanish? If so, you are not alone. As Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world, knowing how to say smart in Spanish can be incredibly helpful for communication.

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What is "Smart" in Spanish?

The word "smart" in English can have multiple meanings, such as intelligent, clever, or quick-witted. In Spanish, "smart" is translated as "inteligente" (IPA: /inteˈli.xente/). It is important to note that, like in English, "inteligente" can also be used to describe someone who is wise or has good judgment.

Meaning of "Smart" in Spanish

Inteligente means not only "smart" in the sense of being intelligent or having good mental abilities, but also can refer to being clever or astute. In addition, it can also refer to being well-behaved or well-dressed, depending on the context.

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Translating "Smart" to Spanish

Apart from "inteligente", there are a few other words that can be used to convey the idea of "smart" in Spanish. Some of these words include:

Listo (IPA: /ˈlisto/): This word is used more colloquially to mean "smart" or "clever" in the sense of being streetwise or quick-witted. It can also be used to mean "ready" or "prepared".
Astuto (IPA: /aˈstuto/): This word is more closely associated with being "cunning" or "shrewd" rather than "smart" in the sense of being intelligent.
Brillante (IPA: /bɾiˈʎante/): This word means "brilliant", but it can also be used to mean "smart" in the sense of being highly intelligent or talented.

Regional Differences

Like any language, Spanish has many regional variations in terms of vocabulary and pronunciation. While "inteligente" is the most widely used term for "smart" in Spanish, different regions may use different words to express the same idea. For example, in some Latin American countries, "vivo" or "pillo" may be used to convey the idea of being "smart" in the sense of being quick-witted or cunning.

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