聪明
cōngmíng · HSK 5
intelligent
🧠 聪 = ear-quick (敏耳) + 明 = bright (sun+moon); a sharp ear and clear mind
聪 originally meant sharp hearing — the 耳 (ear) radical sits inside. 明 pairs 日 (sun) + 月 (moon) for brightness. Together: keen-eared and bright-minded, i.e. clever.
cōng ming · HSK 3
smart
🧠 聪明 = 聪 (acute hearing) + 明 (bright/clear) — sharp ears + clear mind = clever
聪 originally described keen hearing (note the 耳 ear radical), and 明 combines 日 sun + 月 moon for brightness. Together they mean someone whose senses and mind are both sharp — i.e. smart.