冴え・冱え・冴|さえsae[2]odaka (tail-high)
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Which spelling to use
冴え冴え is the most common written form. It combines kanji and kana and is the recommended choice for beginners.
冱え冱え is less common than 冴え. It also combines kanji and kana; beginners should generally choose 冴え instead.
冴冴 is less common than 冴え and 冱え. It is written entirely in kanji; beginners should use 冴え instead.
Definitions
- nounclearness; clarity
- nounskillfulness (skilfulness)
Synonyms & antonyms
- Related才気さいきWrittenWritten/formal word for brilliant intelligence, said of people, as in 「才気あふれる」; 「冴え」 stresses a sharp mind or skill, and can also describe biting cold or crisp colors.
- Related才知さいちWrittenWritten/formal word for talent and wisdom themselves; 「冴え」 focuses on how sharply they are exercised at a given moment, as in 「腕の冴え」「頭の冴え」.
Use 「冴え」 for a mind or skill working sharply, as in 「腕の冴え」. For overflowing brilliance say 「才気」; for talent and wisdom themselves say 「才知」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
