Vocapedia
Log inTry for Free

Looking up...

Words

  • Words of the Year
  • Recent Lookups
  • My Dictionary

Languages

  • English
  • Vietnamese
  • Japanese
  • Chinese
  • Spanish
  • French
  • Korean
  • German

Features

  • Words of the Year
  • My Collections List
  • Reviews
  • Learning Resources
  • Community Collections

Learn

  • How It Works
  • Study Guides
  • Language Tips
  • FAQ
  • Getting Started
  • For Individuals
  • For Teachers

Community

  • Forum
  • Blog
  • Help Center
  • Partnerships

About

  • About Vocapedia
  • Contact Us
  • Feedback

Legal

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility
  • GDPR Compliance
© 2026 Vocapedia. All rights reserved.

才思敏捷

cáisīmǐnjié
idiom★Intermediate💡 quick-witted◆idiom
◆ What It Really Means
The ability to think and respond quickly with intelligence and creativity, often in verbal or intellectual exchanges.
¶ Literal Meaning
Talent and thought are quick and agile.
Literal Breakdown
才talent or natural ability+思thought or thinking process+敏捷quick and nimble
◇ Mental Image
A swift river flowing smoothly, representing the unobstructed and rapid flow of ideas in the mind.
◈ When to Use
During a debate, a participant '才思敏捷' answers a complex question with a concise and insightful response, impressing the audience.
◉ Cultural Note
The idiom reflects the traditional Chinese value placed on intellectual prowess and eloquence, often celebrated in classical poetry and scholarly discourse.
formal

Having a sharp mind and the ability to think and respond quickly, especially in creative or intellectual contexts.

主持人提问后,嘉宾才思敏捷,对答如流。

After the host posed the question, the guest was quick-witted and answered fluently.

她才思敏捷,总能在关键时刻想出绝妙的点子。

She is quick-witted and always comes up with brilliant ideas at critical moments.

💡

Often used to describe someone's intellectual agility in speeches, debates, or problem-solving scenarios.

Collocations

才思敏捷的人a quick-witted person才思敏捷的回答a quick-witted reply才思敏捷的思维a sharp-witted mind

Synonyms

思维敏捷才华横溢出口成章

Antonyms

才思枯竭呆头呆脑笨嘴拙舌

Related Phrases

出口成章idiom
to speak in well-composed sentences without preparation
妙语连珠idiom
to speak witty remarks one after another
文思泉涌idiom
to have a flood of ideas when writing

💡Pro Tip

Usage in Writing

Use '才思敏捷' to describe characters in narratives who are clever or quick-thinking. For example: '侦探才思敏捷,不一会儿就破解了谜案。' (The detective was quick-witted and solved the mystery in no time.)

⚡Gold Rule

Avoid Literal Interpretation

Do not confuse '才思敏捷' with physical speed. It refers to mental agility, not bodily movement.

📖Word Origin

The idiom originates from classical Chinese literature. '才思' (cáisī) means 'talent and thought,' while '敏捷' (mǐnjié) means 'quick and agile.' Combined, it describes someone whose mind works swiftly and intelligently.

📝Usage Notes

Commonly used in formal or literary contexts to praise someone's intellectual agility. Avoid overusing in casual conversations unless describing a specific scenario.

Word Breakdown

才
talent or ability
root
+
思
thought or thinking
root
+
敏捷
quick and agile
compound
汉英词典

Learning Progress

Track your learning journey!

• Save words to build your vocabulary

• Monitor your daily streak

• Get personalized review reminders

• See words learned statistics

Log in to access advanced features and track your progress!

Go to Dashboard →

Recent Lookups

The most recent words being looked up. Stay up to date with what language learners are exploring.