How to say "intellect" in Japanese

• 知能ちのうJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe natural choice for intellect as intelligence: a person's mental ability, how clever they are. It presents intellect as a capacity that varies in degree from one person to another.
  イルカは非常ひじょうに知能ちのうの高たかい動物どうぶつです。↗

  The dolphin is a very intelligent animal.
• 知力ちりょくCommon
  nounFrames intellect as intellectual power or mental capacity — brainpower as a strength to be exercised rather than a trait. Fits contrasts between mental and physical power.
  知力ちりょくでは誰だれも彼かれにはかなわない。↗

  No one equals him in intelligence.
• 頭脳ずのうJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounTreats intellect as the working of the brain, the physical seat of thought; suits talk of a person's mental powers or understanding, as when praising a sharp mind.

Choose 知能 for intellect as intelligence or mental ability, 知力 for intellect stressed as power or capacity, and 頭脳 for the mind or brain as the seat of understanding.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 知能ちのうintelligence
• 知力ちりょくintellectual power
• 理知りちintellect
• インテレクトintellect
• 知情意ちじょういemotion and volition
• 灰色の脳細胞はいいろののうさいぼうlittle grey cells (in reference to Hercule Poirot's catchphrase)
• 頭あたまmind
• 頭脳ずのうintellect