HSK Level 5

天才

tiān cái

genius; talent; gift

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Example Sentences

他是一个天才

tā shì yīgè tiāncái

He is a genius.

她很有天赋

tā hěn yǒu tiānfù

She is very talented.

他们都是天才

tāmen dōu shì tiāncái

They are all geniuses.

Synonyms

Antonyms

笨蛋 (bèn dàn)

idiot

白痴 (bái chī)

moron

Etymology & Components

The Chinese word 天才 (tiān cái) is composed of two characters: 天 (tiān), meaning "heaven" or "sky," and 才 (cái), meaning "talent" or "ability." Together, these characters form a compound word that literally means "heavenly talent" or "natural ability." The term 天才 is often used to describe someone who is exceptionally gifted or talented in a particular area, such as music, art, or mathematics. It can also be used more broadly to refer to someone who is simply very intelligent or capable.The character 天 (tiān) is one of the oldest and most important characters in the Chinese language. It is thought to have originated from a pictograph of a person standing with their arms raised, representing the idea of reaching for the sky. The character 才 (cái) is also an ancient character, and it is thought to have originated from a pictograph of a person holding a tool, representing the idea of skill or craftsmanship.The combination of these two characters creates a word that is both powerful and meaningful. 天才 (tiān cái) is a reminder that true talent is not something that can be learned or acquired through hard work alone. It is a gift from heaven, and it is something to be cherished and nurtured.