How to say "intellectual" in Japanese

• 知的ちてきJLPT N1approx.Common
  na-adjectiveCovers the adjective sense of 'intellectual', describing qualities, work, or pursuits that involve the mind. Typical contexts include intellectual ability, interests, or conversation.
  知的ちてきな会話かいわが好すきです。↗

  I enjoy intellectual conversations.
• インテリJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounA noun (an abbreviation) meaning an educated, intellectual person, often used casually and sometimes with a slightly distancing or mocking nuance. Typical in everyday talk about someone who acts like an intellectual.
  あの本ほんの読者どくしゃたちは自分じぶんのことをインテリだと思おもっている。↗

  The readers of that book think themselves sophisticated.
• 知識人ちしきじんCommon
  nounA noun for an intellectual as a person of learning and ideas, viewed as a social type or public figure. Typical in discussions of writers, critics, or thinkers and their role in society.
  彼かれは知識人ちしきじんぶるのが好すきだ。↗

  He likes to posture as an intellectual.

Use 知的 for the adjective sense 'intellectual/cerebral', 「インテリ」 for a casually labelled educated person, and 知識人 for an intellectual as a member of society's educated class.

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

• 知的ちてきintellectual
• インテリintellectual
• 知識人ちしきじんintellectual
• インテレクチュアルintellectual
• 主知的しゅちてきintellectual
• 知性的ちせいてきintellectual
• 理知的りちてきintellectual
• かしこintelligent person