利根|りこんrikon[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. na-adjective, nounintelligence; cleverness; innate aptitude

• Synonym利口りこうNeutralClever, quick and well-behaved; common in speech, often praising children. 「利根」 is written and archaic, for innate intelligence.
• Synonym賢いかしこいNeutralThe most common everyday word for clever; 「利根」 is archaic with Buddhist associations.
• Synonym聡明そうめいWrittenWise and intelligent, written but modern; 「利根」 is archaic with Buddhist overtones.
• Synonym英明えいめいWrittenWise and enlightened, mostly praising leaders; 「利根」 stresses personal innate aptitude.
• SynonymインテリジェントNeutralNeutral loanword for a person with brains and intellect, as in 「インテリジェントな人」, and for smart devices; 「利根」 is archaic, for innate understanding.
• Synonym利発りはつNeutralBright and quick-witted, said of children and adults alike, with a slightly written lean; 「利根」 stresses innate understanding.
• SynonymさといWrittenSharp and perceptive, as in 「耳が聡い」; 「利根」 stresses innate aptitude.
• Synonym穎悟えいごWrittenA rare written word for keen intelligence and quick understanding; very close in meaning to 「利根」.
• Synonym怜悧れいりWrittenA written word for clever sharpness; 「利根」 carries Buddhist overtones.
• Synonym明達めいたつWrittenA rare written word for discernment and good sense; 「利根」 stresses innate understanding.
• Synonym才気煥発さいきかんぱつWrittenA four-character idiom for brilliance bursting forth; 「利根」 stresses innate aptitude.
• Related賢明けんめいNeutralWise and sensible in judgment; 「利根」 stresses innate intelligence.
• Related明敏めいびんWrittenA written, fairly modern word for keen perception; 「利根」 is archaic.
• Related賢しいさかしいWrittenLess common; in modern use often derogatory for acting clever, as in 「賢しいことを言う」; 「利根」 stresses innate aptitude.
• Related俊秀しゅんしゅうWrittenA written word for an outstandingly talented person; 「利根」 stresses innate aptitude.
• Antonym愚鈍ぐどんWrittenDull and slow-witted, the opposite of innately clever 「利根」.

「利根」 is a written, archaic word with Buddhist overtones for innate intelligence. In everyday speech say 「賢い」; praise a bright, well-behaved child with 「利口」, or a quick-witted child or adult with 「利発」; for wise judgment use 「賢明」; for modern written praise of wisdom 「聡明」. 「愚鈍」 is its antonym. 「インテリジェント」 is a neutral loanword; most of the others are written.

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

1. 生うまれつき賢かしこいこと。また、その天性てんせいや様子ようす。
2. 口くちが上手うまいこと。また、その様子ようす。
3. (仏語ふつご) 仏道ぶつどう修行しゅぎょうの素質そしつや能力のうりょくが優すぐれていること。