Mixing
What is an English equivalent of the Chinese noun 心眼?
Looking for an English equivalent of the Chinese noun 心眼 if there is any, or the best way to describe it.
If someones has 心眼, then you can say they are sly.
But, what do they have if they are sly?
To try and describe the word's meaning, it is a noun that means something like figurative 'brains', 'sneaky' or 'trickery'. If someone is said to have bad 心眼, it means they can think up trickery and be evil to deliberately sabotage someone, or at least to work a situation to their advantage/avoid being disadvantaged. 心眼 on it's own doesn't necessarily have to be evil, it can also be to protect oneself. For example:
Say you are going to a party out of necessity but you don't really want to go. In Chinese, if you had 'a little 心眼'(多一点心眼), you can say you still have things to do, and leave early.
An example of bad 心眼 could be where a person deliberately runs late when they need to give another person a ride, or fixing a deck of cards before a game so that when it is dealt, specific cards to to a specific person. Or, here's an example everyone should be able to understand, Cinderella's step mother and sisters had a lot of bad 心眼 when they said Cinderella can go to the ball if she gets all the work done AND sews her own clothes, but then purposely give her a lot of work so she can't get everything done on time. (On the surface it looks like they were kind to let her go but in reality it was a set up)
If a person has no 心眼, it means they are too naive and easy to take advantage of. In English, you can say they have no brains.
What I want to do is, rather than having to say "A person is sly" in the nominative case, I want to say "A person has no ___" in the accusative case (I believe they are in the right cases, please correct if this is wrong).
Another example:
In the movie "Mrs Doubtfire", Daniel secretly changed the numbers on the ad that his wife, Miranda, put in the paper looking for a nanny, so that only he knew the real number and no one else would be able to call. In Chinese, you would say he 耍 (which sort of means to play, do or implemented) a 心眼. Can I say in English, he played a trick where trick is the noun? This sounds very juvenile though.
single-word-requests translation
edited Jan 26 at 7:26
V2Blast
17029
asked Jan 24 at 6:05
Stephanie Chen-XuStephanie Chen-Xu
19127
add a comment |
Looking for an English equivalent of the Chinese noun 心眼 if there is any, or the best way to describe it.
If someones has 心眼, then you can say they are sly.
But, what do they have if they are sly?
To try and describe the word's meaning, it is a noun that means something like figurative 'brains', 'sneaky' or 'trickery'. If someone is said to have bad 心眼, it means they can think up trickery and be evil to deliberately sabotage someone, or at least to work a situation to their advantage/avoid being disadvantaged. 心眼 on it's own doesn't necessarily have to be evil, it can also be to protect oneself. For example:
Say you are going to a party out of necessity but you don't really want to go. In Chinese, if you had 'a little 心眼'(多一点心眼), you can say you still have things to do, and leave early.
An example of bad 心眼 could be where a person deliberately runs late when they need to give another person a ride, or fixing a deck of cards before a game so that when it is dealt, specific cards to to a specific person. Or, here's an example everyone should be able to understand, Cinderella's step mother and sisters had a lot of bad 心眼 when they said Cinderella can go to the ball if she gets all the work done AND sews her own clothes, but then purposely give her a lot of work so she can't get everything done on time. (On the surface it looks like they were kind to let her go but in reality it was a set up)
If a person has no 心眼, it means they are too naive and easy to take advantage of. In English, you can say they have no brains.
What I want to do is, rather than having to say "A person is sly" in the nominative case, I want to say "A person has no ___" in the accusative case (I believe they are in the right cases, please correct if this is wrong).
Another example:
In the movie "Mrs Doubtfire", Daniel secretly changed the numbers on the ad that his wife, Miranda, put in the paper looking for a nanny, so that only he knew the real number and no one else would be able to call. In Chinese, you would say he 耍 (which sort of means to play, do or implemented) a 心眼. Can I say in English, he played a trick where trick is the noun? This sounds very juvenile though.
single-word-requests translation
edited Jan 26 at 7:26
V2Blast
17029
asked Jan 24 at 6:05
Stephanie Chen-XuStephanie Chen-Xu
19127
2
In English, nouns and adjectives don't have cases (at least not morphologically); only pronouns have retained clearly marked cases.
– Acccumulation
Jan 24 at 16:23
1
You could describe someone as a cute hoor, but that would not be understood outside of Ireland.
– TRiG
Jan 25 at 15:26
An adjective that can be either positive or negative with a similar sense is ‘canny.’ According to the ODO: Having or showing shrewdness or good judgement, especially in money or business matters.
– Al Maki
Feb 20 at 12:14
add a comment |
Looking for an English equivalent of the Chinese noun 心眼 if there is any, or the best way to describe it.
If someones has 心眼, then you can say they are sly.
But, what do they have if they are sly?
To try and describe the word's meaning, it is a noun that means something like figurative 'brains', 'sneaky' or 'trickery'. If someone is said to have bad 心眼, it means they can think up trickery and be evil to deliberately sabotage someone, or at least to work a situation to their advantage/avoid being disadvantaged. 心眼 on it's own doesn't necessarily have to be evil, it can also be to protect oneself. For example:
Say you are going to a party out of necessity but you don't really want to go. In Chinese, if you had 'a little 心眼'(多一点心眼), you can say you still have things to do, and leave early.
An example of bad 心眼 could be where a person deliberately runs late when they need to give another person a ride, or fixing a deck of cards before a game so that when it is dealt, specific cards to to a specific person. Or, here's an example everyone should be able to understand, Cinderella's step mother and sisters had a lot of bad 心眼 when they said Cinderella can go to the ball if she gets all the work done AND sews her own clothes, but then purposely give her a lot of work so she can't get everything done on time. (On the surface it looks like they were kind to let her go but in reality it was a set up)
If a person has no 心眼, it means they are too naive and easy to take advantage of. In English, you can say they have no brains.
What I want to do is, rather than having to say "A person is sly" in the nominative case, I want to say "A person has no ___" in the accusative case (I believe they are in the right cases, please correct if this is wrong).
Another example:
In the movie "Mrs Doubtfire", Daniel secretly changed the numbers on the ad that his wife, Miranda, put in the paper looking for a nanny, so that only he knew the real number and no one else would be able to call. In Chinese, you would say he 耍 (which sort of means to play, do or implemented) a 心眼. Can I say in English, he played a trick where trick is the noun? This sounds very juvenile though.
single-word-requests translation
edited Jan 26 at 7:26
V2Blast
17029
asked Jan 24 at 6:05
Stephanie Chen-XuStephanie Chen-Xu
19127
Looking for an English equivalent of the Chinese noun 心眼 if there is any, or the best way to describe it.
If someones has 心眼, then you can say they are sly.
But, what do they have if they are sly?
To try and describe the word's meaning, it is a noun that means something like figurative 'brains', 'sneaky' or 'trickery'. If someone is said to have bad 心眼, it means they can think up trickery and be evil to deliberately sabotage someone, or at least to work a situation to their advantage/avoid being disadvantaged. 心眼 on it's own doesn't necessarily have to be evil, it can also be to protect oneself. For example:
Say you are going to a party out of necessity but you don't really want to go. In Chinese, if you had 'a little 心眼'(多一点心眼), you can say you still have things to do, and leave early.
An example of bad 心眼 could be where a person deliberately runs late when they need to give another person a ride, or fixing a deck of cards before a game so that when it is dealt, specific cards to to a specific person. Or, here's an example everyone should be able to understand, Cinderella's step mother and sisters had a lot of bad 心眼 when they said Cinderella can go to the ball if she gets all the work done AND sews her own clothes, but then purposely give her a lot of work so she can't get everything done on time. (On the surface it looks like they were kind to let her go but in reality it was a set up)
If a person has no 心眼, it means they are too naive and easy to take advantage of. In English, you can say they have no brains.
What I want to do is, rather than having to say "A person is sly" in the nominative case, I want to say "A person has no ___" in the accusative case (I believe they are in the right cases, please correct if this is wrong).
Another example:
In the movie "Mrs Doubtfire", Daniel secretly changed the numbers on the ad that his wife, Miranda, put in the paper looking for a nanny, so that only he knew the real number and no one else would be able to call. In Chinese, you would say he 耍 (which sort of means to play, do or implemented) a 心眼. Can I say in English, he played a trick where trick is the noun? This sounds very juvenile though.
single-word-requests translation
single-word-requests translation
edited Jan 26 at 7:26
V2Blast
17029
asked Jan 24 at 6:05
Stephanie Chen-XuStephanie Chen-Xu
19127
edited Jan 26 at 7:26
V2Blast
17029
asked Jan 24 at 6:05
Stephanie Chen-XuStephanie Chen-Xu
19127
edited Jan 26 at 7:26
V2Blast
17029
edited Jan 26 at 7:26
V2Blast
17029
edited Jan 26 at 7:26
V2Blast
17029
17029
asked Jan 24 at 6:05
Stephanie Chen-XuStephanie Chen-Xu
19127
asked Jan 24 at 6:05
Stephanie Chen-XuStephanie Chen-Xu
19127
asked Jan 24 at 6:05
Stephanie Chen-XuStephanie Chen-Xu
19127
19127
2
In English, nouns and adjectives don't have cases (at least not morphologically); only pronouns have retained clearly marked cases.
– Acccumulation
Jan 24 at 16:23
1
You could describe someone as a cute hoor, but that would not be understood outside of Ireland.
– TRiG
Jan 25 at 15:26
An adjective that can be either positive or negative with a similar sense is ‘canny.’ According to the ODO: Having or showing shrewdness or good judgement, especially in money or business matters.
– Al Maki
Feb 20 at 12:14
add a comment |
2
In English, nouns and adjectives don't have cases (at least not morphologically); only pronouns have retained clearly marked cases.
– Acccumulation
Jan 24 at 16:23
1
You could describe someone as a cute hoor, but that would not be understood outside of Ireland.
– TRiG
Jan 25 at 15:26
An adjective that can be either positive or negative with a similar sense is ‘canny.’ According to the ODO: Having or showing shrewdness or good judgement, especially in money or business matters.
– Al Maki
Feb 20 at 12:14
2
2
In English, nouns and adjectives don't have cases (at least not morphologically); only pronouns have retained clearly marked cases.
– Acccumulation
Jan 24 at 16:23
In English, nouns and adjectives don't have cases (at least not morphologically); only pronouns have retained clearly marked cases.
– Acccumulation
Jan 24 at 16:23
1
1
You could describe someone as a cute hoor, but that would not be understood outside of Ireland.
– TRiG
Jan 25 at 15:26
You could describe someone as a cute hoor, but that would not be understood outside of Ireland.
– TRiG
Jan 25 at 15:26
An adjective that can be either positive or negative with a similar sense is ‘canny.’ According to the ODO: Having or showing shrewdness or good judgement, especially in money or business matters.
– Al Maki
Feb 20 at 12:14
An adjective that can be either positive or negative with a similar sense is ‘canny.’ According to the ODO: Having or showing shrewdness or good judgement, especially in money or business matters.
– Al Maki
Feb 20 at 12:14
add a comment |
10 Answers
10
active
oldest
votes
To me it sounds you're describing guile:
clever but sometimes dishonest behaviour that you use to deceive someone:
The president will need to use all her political guile to stay in power.
He is a simple man, totally lacking in guile.
-- Cambridge Dictionary
Guile is the quality of being good at deceiving people in a clever way.
His cunning and guile were not attributes I would ever underestimate.
I love children's innocence and lack of guile.
-- Collins English Dictionary
answered Jan 24 at 7:42
michael.hor257kmichael.hor257k
12.3k42044
4
And note that the negation "guileless" exists.
– Acccumulation
Jan 24 at 16:18
1
@Acccumulation: That's not really a negation. "Guile" is a noun, and "guileless" is an adjective.
– user2357112
Jan 24 at 19:43
6
You could say "guilelessness" for a noun antonym.
– TaliesinMerlin
Jan 24 at 19:45
Pt 1. The "He is a simple man, totally lacking in guile." really sounds exactly like something that can be used to describe a person 'without 心眼", so this is great, BUT, I think it only works because of the first statement that he IS a simple man. Otherwise, I don't know if guile fits because I found these examples: "Acting like you have a job on Wall Street when you're actually unemployed would take a lot of guile." and guile "is when you distract your friend from the fact that you are half hour late to a meeting by immediately turning on the charm and launching into a fascinating story."
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 5:53
Pt 2.The 2 sentences are from the same source. I have a friend who is totally like the latter sentence, except that I would say she has no 心眼 at all, so I am wondering, does anyone know if guile can be used differently/both and where it can/can't be applied to? I've never seen it before except 'beguile', which is a verb meaning deceive and sounds more like it means it is about false appearances, like a 2 faced person who pretends to be nice in front of one crowd but is mean behind closed doors, like Cinderella's stepmother.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 6:06
add a comment |
The word you are looking for may be cunning. A person with cunning can be sly, clever, sneaky or scrappy. It's considered neither inherently positive or negative, much like the Chinese phrase, and it captures that idea of someone who finds an unexpected way to turn a situation to their advantage.
However, it's usually not correct to say that a person has no cunning. In the case you describe, where someone is too easily tricked or taken advantage of, they are described as being gullible.
answered Jan 24 at 6:44
MerusMerus
58536
In English speaking countries a fox is said to be cunning. I don't know if the Chinese word in the question is attributed to foxes.
– Walter Mitty
Jan 24 at 19:59
@Merus Are you Chinese? Wondering cause you said "much like the Chinese phrase". I'm wondering if people other than me take 'gullible' with a negative connotation because to say that someone has no 心眼, is saying they/praising them are kind and unfortunately, easily taken advantage of. Gullible to me sounds like the person is stupid or ignorant.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 6:11
1
@StephanieChen-Xu Yes, you are right, you would never call someone "gullible" without it being negative or possibly insulting. The closest I can think of for an affectionate or non-negative quality of being the opposite of cunning would be something like "innocent naivety".
– user568458
Jan 25 at 13:09
add a comment |
They have wiles
1.
devious or cunning stratagems employed in manipulating or persuading someone to do what one wants.
Wile:Google Dictionary
1: a trick or stratagem intended to ensnare or deceive
also : a beguiling or playful trick
2 : skill in outwitting : TRICKERY, GUILE
Wile: Merriam Webster online
Note: it has been used to describe women with designs. So you might want to use care if it can be misconstrued this way.
answered Jan 24 at 11:50
Phil SweetPhil Sweet
10.5k22247
I would emphasize the end note in that I've most often heard this word used as part of the set phrase "feminine wiles" than in any other context (though "the wily old fox" is also a contender.)
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jan 25 at 1:00
@RoddyoftheFrozenPeas Can I use it for males, like "he had a lot of wiles?" Otherwise it sounds like a great translation.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 6:13
@Phil Sweet Thanks, this sounds like something I am looking for.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 6:14
1
@StephanieChen-Xu Yes, you can, for example the Mirriam-Webster definition includes an example "he used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself". You can also call anyone "wily" (e.g. the pun in the cartoon name Wile E. Coyote), and a "wily old fox" is typically male. It's maybe a slightly old-fashioned sounding word, but widely known and usable.
– user568458
Jan 25 at 13:17
But you can't directly trun 心眼 into TRICKERY or GUILE in any cases. For example, 长点心眼 means "enhance your ability to deal with people or problems." rather than "enhance your guile".
– Zhang
Jan 28 at 2:16
add a comment |
That noun is most likely smarts. It can be used both in positive and negative sense.
ODO:
smart
NOUN
2 (smarts) North American informal
Intelligence; acumen.
‘Nikki was intelligent while Jack had a different type of smarts.’
‘He has great vision and tremendous smarts in terms of knowing when to
fair catch a ball and when to let it bounce.’
answered Jan 24 at 6:48
alwayslearningalwayslearning
26.3k63894
See also, my comment at Zebrafish.
– Kris
Jan 24 at 9:24
As this states it is only a north american word, so be careful of your audience. I also hate the word smart becoming a negative word.
– WendyG
Jan 24 at 10:28
true ^^ to me, smarts = pain
– treyBake
Jan 24 at 16:10
add a comment |
I guess you could call that kind of person a shrewd person because the ability of being shrewd includes an element of slyness. And, of course, the noun form of the adjective shrewd would be shrewdness. The following are the definitions for both terms that you can find in the Cambridge Dictionary.
shrewd:
A shrewd person is able to understand and judge a situation quickly and to use this understanding to their own advantage.
Example sentence:
He was shrewd enough not to take the job when there was the possibility of getting a better one a few months later.
shrewdness:
clear understanding and good judgment of a situation, usually resulting in an advantage
Example sentences:
She was a woman of great courage and political shrewdness.
He has approached the task with commitment, intelligence, and shrewdness.
answered Jan 24 at 16:12
Mike RMike R
4,99321743
add a comment |
We Japanese also use the word, 心眼 which may have been imported from Chinese, 心眼.
While 心眼 (heart and eyes verbatim) in Japanese simply means to observe a thing and event by heart, not by eyes, in other word, insight or inspiration, 心眼 in Chinese seems to have various meanings;
According to 現代汉語辞典 - Modern Chinese Dictionary
at hand, which was compiled by China Social Science Institute, Language Laboratory, published by 商務印書館 - China Commercial Printing Institute in 1994, 心眼 – xinyanr has various meanings;o
1.内心 - 大妈看倒这未来的八媳妇、心眼打里高兴 - in the heart / in one’s real intention.
2.心地 - 存心 - 心眼好。没安好心眼 - state of mind.
3.聡明机智 -他有心眼。什么事都想得周到 – (have) wisdom, cleverness.
4.対人的不必要的顧慮和考慮－他这个人就是心眼太多 – unnecessary consideration to others, overconcerns.
5.気量(小或窄)－心眼小 - (lack) generosity, human scale.
So it’s pretty easy to translate Japanese word, 心眼 into English, but I think it difficult to think up an English equivalent to 心眼 in Chinese, unless you specify which one of various connotations of 心眼 you have in mind.
answered Feb 3 at 1:19
Yoichi Oishi♦Yoichi Oishi
34.9k111370761
With all due respect, the Chinese usage are correct, but the English translations wrong. Sentence 1 is not using the words "心眼" together, it is an adjective + noun albeit a very strange one, I believe it means eye of the heart ie apple of one's eye. S2: "没安好心眼" = do not have good intentions. S3,4: We would never use "他有心眼" without an adjective, much less to mean "什么事都想得周到" or positive wisdom/considerate. Saying someone has too much 心眼 (他这个人就是心眼太多) is criticising them for being too evil/sly. S5: 心眼小 is a negative criticism, saying someone has a small 心眼 is saying they are petty and unforgiving.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Feb 3 at 11:32
add a comment |
Wit comes to mind, although it seems it isn't often used in a 'negative' context, as it is usually said as a complement. Although I don't see why you can't say something like, "He used his quick thinking and wit to cheat his opponent".
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/wit
answered Jan 25 at 2:52
smesme
1313
+1 and also unlike some answers, to lack "wit" or "wits" also conveys gullibility or foolishness. For example, you can say "My witless cousin fell for another scam", or "Jenkins is brave but he lacks the wits needed for this mission behind enemy lines".
– user568458
Jan 25 at 13:00
add a comment |
I have seen people use sophistication for "城府很深", in some sense it agrees with a quality of a person having "心眼".
Cambridge Dict sophistication
the quality of being sophisticated
世故，老練
Her sophistication is evident from the way she dresses.
從衣著打扮明顯可以看出她精明老練。
answered Jan 26 at 0:26
swoopin_swallowswoopin_swallow
1716
You should support your answer by citing a dictionary or another appropriate source.
– V2Blast
Jan 26 at 4:51
add a comment |
I'm not sure there's a single word that fits all your uses. Here are a few candidates:
- charm
- charisma
- tact
- manipulation
- wits
- influence
Or perhaps turn the adjective "sly" into the noun "slyness"?
answered Jan 28 at 12:25
CJ DennisCJ Dennis
2,11341645
add a comment |
You may want to consider "stealth" (stealthily, stealthful) along with the others for a good descriptive word for
for the qualities of your descriptions.
https://www.thefreedictionary.com/stealth
answered Feb 19 at 23:17
user22542user22542
3,2641411
add a comment |
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10 Answers
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To me it sounds you're describing guile:
clever but sometimes dishonest behaviour that you use to deceive someone:
The president will need to use all her political guile to stay in power.
He is a simple man, totally lacking in guile.
-- Cambridge Dictionary
Guile is the quality of being good at deceiving people in a clever way.
His cunning and guile were not attributes I would ever underestimate.
I love children's innocence and lack of guile.
-- Collins English Dictionary
answered Jan 24 at 7:42
michael.hor257kmichael.hor257k
12.3k42044
4
And note that the negation "guileless" exists.
– Acccumulation
Jan 24 at 16:18
1
@Acccumulation: That's not really a negation. "Guile" is a noun, and "guileless" is an adjective.
– user2357112
Jan 24 at 19:43
6
You could say "guilelessness" for a noun antonym.
– TaliesinMerlin
Jan 24 at 19:45
Pt 1. The "He is a simple man, totally lacking in guile." really sounds exactly like something that can be used to describe a person 'without 心眼", so this is great, BUT, I think it only works because of the first statement that he IS a simple man. Otherwise, I don't know if guile fits because I found these examples: "Acting like you have a job on Wall Street when you're actually unemployed would take a lot of guile." and guile "is when you distract your friend from the fact that you are half hour late to a meeting by immediately turning on the charm and launching into a fascinating story."
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 5:53
Pt 2.The 2 sentences are from the same source. I have a friend who is totally like the latter sentence, except that I would say she has no 心眼 at all, so I am wondering, does anyone know if guile can be used differently/both and where it can/can't be applied to? I've never seen it before except 'beguile', which is a verb meaning deceive and sounds more like it means it is about false appearances, like a 2 faced person who pretends to be nice in front of one crowd but is mean behind closed doors, like Cinderella's stepmother.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 6:06
add a comment |
To me it sounds you're describing guile:
clever but sometimes dishonest behaviour that you use to deceive someone:
The president will need to use all her political guile to stay in power.
He is a simple man, totally lacking in guile.
-- Cambridge Dictionary
Guile is the quality of being good at deceiving people in a clever way.
His cunning and guile were not attributes I would ever underestimate.
I love children's innocence and lack of guile.
-- Collins English Dictionary
answered Jan 24 at 7:42
michael.hor257kmichael.hor257k
12.3k42044
4
And note that the negation "guileless" exists.
– Acccumulation
Jan 24 at 16:18
1
@Acccumulation: That's not really a negation. "Guile" is a noun, and "guileless" is an adjective.
– user2357112
Jan 24 at 19:43
6
You could say "guilelessness" for a noun antonym.
– TaliesinMerlin
Jan 24 at 19:45
Pt 1. The "He is a simple man, totally lacking in guile." really sounds exactly like something that can be used to describe a person 'without 心眼", so this is great, BUT, I think it only works because of the first statement that he IS a simple man. Otherwise, I don't know if guile fits because I found these examples: "Acting like you have a job on Wall Street when you're actually unemployed would take a lot of guile." and guile "is when you distract your friend from the fact that you are half hour late to a meeting by immediately turning on the charm and launching into a fascinating story."
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 5:53
Pt 2.The 2 sentences are from the same source. I have a friend who is totally like the latter sentence, except that I would say she has no 心眼 at all, so I am wondering, does anyone know if guile can be used differently/both and where it can/can't be applied to? I've never seen it before except 'beguile', which is a verb meaning deceive and sounds more like it means it is about false appearances, like a 2 faced person who pretends to be nice in front of one crowd but is mean behind closed doors, like Cinderella's stepmother.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 6:06
add a comment |
To me it sounds you're describing guile:
clever but sometimes dishonest behaviour that you use to deceive someone:
The president will need to use all her political guile to stay in power.
He is a simple man, totally lacking in guile.
-- Cambridge Dictionary
Guile is the quality of being good at deceiving people in a clever way.
His cunning and guile were not attributes I would ever underestimate.
I love children's innocence and lack of guile.
-- Collins English Dictionary
answered Jan 24 at 7:42
michael.hor257kmichael.hor257k
12.3k42044
To me it sounds you're describing guile:
clever but sometimes dishonest behaviour that you use to deceive someone:
The president will need to use all her political guile to stay in power.
He is a simple man, totally lacking in guile.
-- Cambridge Dictionary
Guile is the quality of being good at deceiving people in a clever way.
His cunning and guile were not attributes I would ever underestimate.
I love children's innocence and lack of guile.
-- Collins English Dictionary
answered Jan 24 at 7:42
michael.hor257kmichael.hor257k
12.3k42044
answered Jan 24 at 7:42
michael.hor257kmichael.hor257k
12.3k42044
answered Jan 24 at 7:42
michael.hor257kmichael.hor257k
12.3k42044
answered Jan 24 at 7:42
michael.hor257kmichael.hor257k
12.3k42044
12.3k42044
4
And note that the negation "guileless" exists.
– Acccumulation
Jan 24 at 16:18
1
@Acccumulation: That's not really a negation. "Guile" is a noun, and "guileless" is an adjective.
– user2357112
Jan 24 at 19:43
6
You could say "guilelessness" for a noun antonym.
– TaliesinMerlin
Jan 24 at 19:45
Pt 1. The "He is a simple man, totally lacking in guile." really sounds exactly like something that can be used to describe a person 'without 心眼", so this is great, BUT, I think it only works because of the first statement that he IS a simple man. Otherwise, I don't know if guile fits because I found these examples: "Acting like you have a job on Wall Street when you're actually unemployed would take a lot of guile." and guile "is when you distract your friend from the fact that you are half hour late to a meeting by immediately turning on the charm and launching into a fascinating story."
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 5:53
Pt 2.The 2 sentences are from the same source. I have a friend who is totally like the latter sentence, except that I would say she has no 心眼 at all, so I am wondering, does anyone know if guile can be used differently/both and where it can/can't be applied to? I've never seen it before except 'beguile', which is a verb meaning deceive and sounds more like it means it is about false appearances, like a 2 faced person who pretends to be nice in front of one crowd but is mean behind closed doors, like Cinderella's stepmother.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 6:06
add a comment |
4
And note that the negation "guileless" exists.
– Acccumulation
Jan 24 at 16:18
1
@Acccumulation: That's not really a negation. "Guile" is a noun, and "guileless" is an adjective.
– user2357112
Jan 24 at 19:43
6
You could say "guilelessness" for a noun antonym.
– TaliesinMerlin
Jan 24 at 19:45
Pt 1. The "He is a simple man, totally lacking in guile." really sounds exactly like something that can be used to describe a person 'without 心眼", so this is great, BUT, I think it only works because of the first statement that he IS a simple man. Otherwise, I don't know if guile fits because I found these examples: "Acting like you have a job on Wall Street when you're actually unemployed would take a lot of guile." and guile "is when you distract your friend from the fact that you are half hour late to a meeting by immediately turning on the charm and launching into a fascinating story."
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 5:53
Pt 2.The 2 sentences are from the same source. I have a friend who is totally like the latter sentence, except that I would say she has no 心眼 at all, so I am wondering, does anyone know if guile can be used differently/both and where it can/can't be applied to? I've never seen it before except 'beguile', which is a verb meaning deceive and sounds more like it means it is about false appearances, like a 2 faced person who pretends to be nice in front of one crowd but is mean behind closed doors, like Cinderella's stepmother.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 6:06
4
4
And note that the negation "guileless" exists.
– Acccumulation
Jan 24 at 16:18
And note that the negation "guileless" exists.
– Acccumulation
Jan 24 at 16:18
1
1
@Acccumulation: That's not really a negation. "Guile" is a noun, and "guileless" is an adjective.
– user2357112
Jan 24 at 19:43
@Acccumulation: That's not really a negation. "Guile" is a noun, and "guileless" is an adjective.
– user2357112
Jan 24 at 19:43
6
6
You could say "guilelessness" for a noun antonym.
– TaliesinMerlin
Jan 24 at 19:45
You could say "guilelessness" for a noun antonym.
– TaliesinMerlin
Jan 24 at 19:45
Pt 1. The "He is a simple man, totally lacking in guile." really sounds exactly like something that can be used to describe a person 'without 心眼", so this is great, BUT, I think it only works because of the first statement that he IS a simple man. Otherwise, I don't know if guile fits because I found these examples: "Acting like you have a job on Wall Street when you're actually unemployed would take a lot of guile." and guile "is when you distract your friend from the fact that you are half hour late to a meeting by immediately turning on the charm and launching into a fascinating story."
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 5:53
Pt 1. The "He is a simple man, totally lacking in guile." really sounds exactly like something that can be used to describe a person 'without 心眼", so this is great, BUT, I think it only works because of the first statement that he IS a simple man. Otherwise, I don't know if guile fits because I found these examples: "Acting like you have a job on Wall Street when you're actually unemployed would take a lot of guile." and guile "is when you distract your friend from the fact that you are half hour late to a meeting by immediately turning on the charm and launching into a fascinating story."
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 5:53
Pt 2.The 2 sentences are from the same source. I have a friend who is totally like the latter sentence, except that I would say she has no 心眼 at all, so I am wondering, does anyone know if guile can be used differently/both and where it can/can't be applied to? I've never seen it before except 'beguile', which is a verb meaning deceive and sounds more like it means it is about false appearances, like a 2 faced person who pretends to be nice in front of one crowd but is mean behind closed doors, like Cinderella's stepmother.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 6:06
Pt 2.The 2 sentences are from the same source. I have a friend who is totally like the latter sentence, except that I would say she has no 心眼 at all, so I am wondering, does anyone know if guile can be used differently/both and where it can/can't be applied to? I've never seen it before except 'beguile', which is a verb meaning deceive and sounds more like it means it is about false appearances, like a 2 faced person who pretends to be nice in front of one crowd but is mean behind closed doors, like Cinderella's stepmother.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 6:06
add a comment |
The word you are looking for may be cunning. A person with cunning can be sly, clever, sneaky or scrappy. It's considered neither inherently positive or negative, much like the Chinese phrase, and it captures that idea of someone who finds an unexpected way to turn a situation to their advantage.
However, it's usually not correct to say that a person has no cunning. In the case you describe, where someone is too easily tricked or taken advantage of, they are described as being gullible.
answered Jan 24 at 6:44
MerusMerus
58536
In English speaking countries a fox is said to be cunning. I don't know if the Chinese word in the question is attributed to foxes.
– Walter Mitty
Jan 24 at 19:59
@Merus Are you Chinese? Wondering cause you said "much like the Chinese phrase". I'm wondering if people other than me take 'gullible' with a negative connotation because to say that someone has no 心眼, is saying they/praising them are kind and unfortunately, easily taken advantage of. Gullible to me sounds like the person is stupid or ignorant.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 6:11
1
@StephanieChen-Xu Yes, you are right, you would never call someone "gullible" without it being negative or possibly insulting. The closest I can think of for an affectionate or non-negative quality of being the opposite of cunning would be something like "innocent naivety".
– user568458
Jan 25 at 13:09
add a comment |
The word you are looking for may be cunning. A person with cunning can be sly, clever, sneaky or scrappy. It's considered neither inherently positive or negative, much like the Chinese phrase, and it captures that idea of someone who finds an unexpected way to turn a situation to their advantage.
However, it's usually not correct to say that a person has no cunning. In the case you describe, where someone is too easily tricked or taken advantage of, they are described as being gullible.
answered Jan 24 at 6:44
MerusMerus
58536
In English speaking countries a fox is said to be cunning. I don't know if the Chinese word in the question is attributed to foxes.
– Walter Mitty
Jan 24 at 19:59
@Merus Are you Chinese? Wondering cause you said "much like the Chinese phrase". I'm wondering if people other than me take 'gullible' with a negative connotation because to say that someone has no 心眼, is saying they/praising them are kind and unfortunately, easily taken advantage of. Gullible to me sounds like the person is stupid or ignorant.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 6:11
1
@StephanieChen-Xu Yes, you are right, you would never call someone "gullible" without it being negative or possibly insulting. The closest I can think of for an affectionate or non-negative quality of being the opposite of cunning would be something like "innocent naivety".
– user568458
Jan 25 at 13:09
add a comment |
The word you are looking for may be cunning. A person with cunning can be sly, clever, sneaky or scrappy. It's considered neither inherently positive or negative, much like the Chinese phrase, and it captures that idea of someone who finds an unexpected way to turn a situation to their advantage.
However, it's usually not correct to say that a person has no cunning. In the case you describe, where someone is too easily tricked or taken advantage of, they are described as being gullible.
answered Jan 24 at 6:44
MerusMerus
58536
The word you are looking for may be cunning. A person with cunning can be sly, clever, sneaky or scrappy. It's considered neither inherently positive or negative, much like the Chinese phrase, and it captures that idea of someone who finds an unexpected way to turn a situation to their advantage.
However, it's usually not correct to say that a person has no cunning. In the case you describe, where someone is too easily tricked or taken advantage of, they are described as being gullible.
answered Jan 24 at 6:44
MerusMerus
58536
answered Jan 24 at 6:44
MerusMerus
58536
answered Jan 24 at 6:44
MerusMerus
58536
answered Jan 24 at 6:44
MerusMerus
58536
58536
In English speaking countries a fox is said to be cunning. I don't know if the Chinese word in the question is attributed to foxes.
– Walter Mitty
Jan 24 at 19:59
@Merus Are you Chinese? Wondering cause you said "much like the Chinese phrase". I'm wondering if people other than me take 'gullible' with a negative connotation because to say that someone has no 心眼, is saying they/praising them are kind and unfortunately, easily taken advantage of. Gullible to me sounds like the person is stupid or ignorant.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 6:11
1
@StephanieChen-Xu Yes, you are right, you would never call someone "gullible" without it being negative or possibly insulting. The closest I can think of for an affectionate or non-negative quality of being the opposite of cunning would be something like "innocent naivety".
– user568458
Jan 25 at 13:09
add a comment |
In English speaking countries a fox is said to be cunning. I don't know if the Chinese word in the question is attributed to foxes.
– Walter Mitty
Jan 24 at 19:59
@Merus Are you Chinese? Wondering cause you said "much like the Chinese phrase". I'm wondering if people other than me take 'gullible' with a negative connotation because to say that someone has no 心眼, is saying they/praising them are kind and unfortunately, easily taken advantage of. Gullible to me sounds like the person is stupid or ignorant.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 6:11
1
@StephanieChen-Xu Yes, you are right, you would never call someone "gullible" without it being negative or possibly insulting. The closest I can think of for an affectionate or non-negative quality of being the opposite of cunning would be something like "innocent naivety".
– user568458
Jan 25 at 13:09
In English speaking countries a fox is said to be cunning. I don't know if the Chinese word in the question is attributed to foxes.
– Walter Mitty
Jan 24 at 19:59
In English speaking countries a fox is said to be cunning. I don't know if the Chinese word in the question is attributed to foxes.
– Walter Mitty
Jan 24 at 19:59
@Merus Are you Chinese? Wondering cause you said "much like the Chinese phrase". I'm wondering if people other than me take 'gullible' with a negative connotation because to say that someone has no 心眼, is saying they/praising them are kind and unfortunately, easily taken advantage of. Gullible to me sounds like the person is stupid or ignorant.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 6:11
@Merus Are you Chinese? Wondering cause you said "much like the Chinese phrase". I'm wondering if people other than me take 'gullible' with a negative connotation because to say that someone has no 心眼, is saying they/praising them are kind and unfortunately, easily taken advantage of. Gullible to me sounds like the person is stupid or ignorant.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 6:11
1
1
@StephanieChen-Xu Yes, you are right, you would never call someone "gullible" without it being negative or possibly insulting. The closest I can think of for an affectionate or non-negative quality of being the opposite of cunning would be something like "innocent naivety".
– user568458
Jan 25 at 13:09
@StephanieChen-Xu Yes, you are right, you would never call someone "gullible" without it being negative or possibly insulting. The closest I can think of for an affectionate or non-negative quality of being the opposite of cunning would be something like "innocent naivety".
– user568458
Jan 25 at 13:09
add a comment |
They have wiles
1.
devious or cunning stratagems employed in manipulating or persuading someone to do what one wants.
Wile:Google Dictionary
1: a trick or stratagem intended to ensnare or deceive
also : a beguiling or playful trick
2 : skill in outwitting : TRICKERY, GUILE
Wile: Merriam Webster online
Note: it has been used to describe women with designs. So you might want to use care if it can be misconstrued this way.
answered Jan 24 at 11:50
Phil SweetPhil Sweet
10.5k22247
I would emphasize the end note in that I've most often heard this word used as part of the set phrase "feminine wiles" than in any other context (though "the wily old fox" is also a contender.)
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jan 25 at 1:00
@RoddyoftheFrozenPeas Can I use it for males, like "he had a lot of wiles?" Otherwise it sounds like a great translation.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 6:13
@Phil Sweet Thanks, this sounds like something I am looking for.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 6:14
1
@StephanieChen-Xu Yes, you can, for example the Mirriam-Webster definition includes an example "he used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself". You can also call anyone "wily" (e.g. the pun in the cartoon name Wile E. Coyote), and a "wily old fox" is typically male. It's maybe a slightly old-fashioned sounding word, but widely known and usable.
– user568458
Jan 25 at 13:17
But you can't directly trun 心眼 into TRICKERY or GUILE in any cases. For example, 长点心眼 means "enhance your ability to deal with people or problems." rather than "enhance your guile".
– Zhang
Jan 28 at 2:16
add a comment |
They have wiles
1.
devious or cunning stratagems employed in manipulating or persuading someone to do what one wants.
Wile:Google Dictionary
1: a trick or stratagem intended to ensnare or deceive
also : a beguiling or playful trick
2 : skill in outwitting : TRICKERY, GUILE
Wile: Merriam Webster online
Note: it has been used to describe women with designs. So you might want to use care if it can be misconstrued this way.
answered Jan 24 at 11:50
Phil SweetPhil Sweet
10.5k22247
I would emphasize the end note in that I've most often heard this word used as part of the set phrase "feminine wiles" than in any other context (though "the wily old fox" is also a contender.)
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jan 25 at 1:00
@RoddyoftheFrozenPeas Can I use it for males, like "he had a lot of wiles?" Otherwise it sounds like a great translation.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 6:13
@Phil Sweet Thanks, this sounds like something I am looking for.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 6:14
1
@StephanieChen-Xu Yes, you can, for example the Mirriam-Webster definition includes an example "he used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself". You can also call anyone "wily" (e.g. the pun in the cartoon name Wile E. Coyote), and a "wily old fox" is typically male. It's maybe a slightly old-fashioned sounding word, but widely known and usable.
– user568458
Jan 25 at 13:17
But you can't directly trun 心眼 into TRICKERY or GUILE in any cases. For example, 长点心眼 means "enhance your ability to deal with people or problems." rather than "enhance your guile".
– Zhang
Jan 28 at 2:16
add a comment |
They have wiles
1.
devious or cunning stratagems employed in manipulating or persuading someone to do what one wants.
Wile:Google Dictionary
1: a trick or stratagem intended to ensnare or deceive
also : a beguiling or playful trick
2 : skill in outwitting : TRICKERY, GUILE
Wile: Merriam Webster online
Note: it has been used to describe women with designs. So you might want to use care if it can be misconstrued this way.
answered Jan 24 at 11:50
Phil SweetPhil Sweet
10.5k22247
They have wiles
1.
devious or cunning stratagems employed in manipulating or persuading someone to do what one wants.
Wile:Google Dictionary
1: a trick or stratagem intended to ensnare or deceive
also : a beguiling or playful trick
2 : skill in outwitting : TRICKERY, GUILE
Wile: Merriam Webster online
Note: it has been used to describe women with designs. So you might want to use care if it can be misconstrued this way.
answered Jan 24 at 11:50
Phil SweetPhil Sweet
10.5k22247
answered Jan 24 at 11:50
Phil SweetPhil Sweet
10.5k22247
answered Jan 24 at 11:50
Phil SweetPhil Sweet
10.5k22247
answered Jan 24 at 11:50
Phil SweetPhil Sweet
10.5k22247
10.5k22247
I would emphasize the end note in that I've most often heard this word used as part of the set phrase "feminine wiles" than in any other context (though "the wily old fox" is also a contender.)
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jan 25 at 1:00
@RoddyoftheFrozenPeas Can I use it for males, like "he had a lot of wiles?" Otherwise it sounds like a great translation.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 6:13
@Phil Sweet Thanks, this sounds like something I am looking for.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 6:14
1
@StephanieChen-Xu Yes, you can, for example the Mirriam-Webster definition includes an example "he used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself". You can also call anyone "wily" (e.g. the pun in the cartoon name Wile E. Coyote), and a "wily old fox" is typically male. It's maybe a slightly old-fashioned sounding word, but widely known and usable.
– user568458
Jan 25 at 13:17
But you can't directly trun 心眼 into TRICKERY or GUILE in any cases. For example, 长点心眼 means "enhance your ability to deal with people or problems." rather than "enhance your guile".
– Zhang
Jan 28 at 2:16
add a comment |
I would emphasize the end note in that I've most often heard this word used as part of the set phrase "feminine wiles" than in any other context (though "the wily old fox" is also a contender.)
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jan 25 at 1:00
@RoddyoftheFrozenPeas Can I use it for males, like "he had a lot of wiles?" Otherwise it sounds like a great translation.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 6:13
@Phil Sweet Thanks, this sounds like something I am looking for.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 6:14
1
@StephanieChen-Xu Yes, you can, for example the Mirriam-Webster definition includes an example "he used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself". You can also call anyone "wily" (e.g. the pun in the cartoon name Wile E. Coyote), and a "wily old fox" is typically male. It's maybe a slightly old-fashioned sounding word, but widely known and usable.
– user568458
Jan 25 at 13:17
But you can't directly trun 心眼 into TRICKERY or GUILE in any cases. For example, 长点心眼 means "enhance your ability to deal with people or problems." rather than "enhance your guile".
– Zhang
Jan 28 at 2:16
I would emphasize the end note in that I've most often heard this word used as part of the set phrase "feminine wiles" than in any other context (though "the wily old fox" is also a contender.)
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jan 25 at 1:00
I would emphasize the end note in that I've most often heard this word used as part of the set phrase "feminine wiles" than in any other context (though "the wily old fox" is also a contender.)
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jan 25 at 1:00
@RoddyoftheFrozenPeas Can I use it for males, like "he had a lot of wiles?" Otherwise it sounds like a great translation.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 6:13
@RoddyoftheFrozenPeas Can I use it for males, like "he had a lot of wiles?" Otherwise it sounds like a great translation.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 6:13
@Phil Sweet Thanks, this sounds like something I am looking for.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 6:14
@Phil Sweet Thanks, this sounds like something I am looking for.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Jan 25 at 6:14
1
1
@StephanieChen-Xu Yes, you can, for example the Mirriam-Webster definition includes an example "he used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself". You can also call anyone "wily" (e.g. the pun in the cartoon name Wile E. Coyote), and a "wily old fox" is typically male. It's maybe a slightly old-fashioned sounding word, but widely known and usable.
– user568458
Jan 25 at 13:17
@StephanieChen-Xu Yes, you can, for example the Mirriam-Webster definition includes an example "he used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself". You can also call anyone "wily" (e.g. the pun in the cartoon name Wile E. Coyote), and a "wily old fox" is typically male. It's maybe a slightly old-fashioned sounding word, but widely known and usable.
– user568458
Jan 25 at 13:17
But you can't directly trun 心眼 into TRICKERY or GUILE in any cases. For example, 长点心眼 means "enhance your ability to deal with people or problems." rather than "enhance your guile".
– Zhang
Jan 28 at 2:16
But you can't directly trun 心眼 into TRICKERY or GUILE in any cases. For example, 长点心眼 means "enhance your ability to deal with people or problems." rather than "enhance your guile".
– Zhang
Jan 28 at 2:16
add a comment |
That noun is most likely smarts. It can be used both in positive and negative sense.
ODO:
smart
NOUN
2 (smarts) North American informal
Intelligence; acumen.
‘Nikki was intelligent while Jack had a different type of smarts.’
‘He has great vision and tremendous smarts in terms of knowing when to
fair catch a ball and when to let it bounce.’
answered Jan 24 at 6:48
alwayslearningalwayslearning
26.3k63894
See also, my comment at Zebrafish.
– Kris
Jan 24 at 9:24
As this states it is only a north american word, so be careful of your audience. I also hate the word smart becoming a negative word.
– WendyG
Jan 24 at 10:28
true ^^ to me, smarts = pain
– treyBake
Jan 24 at 16:10
add a comment |
That noun is most likely smarts. It can be used both in positive and negative sense.
ODO:
smart
NOUN
2 (smarts) North American informal
Intelligence; acumen.
‘Nikki was intelligent while Jack had a different type of smarts.’
‘He has great vision and tremendous smarts in terms of knowing when to
fair catch a ball and when to let it bounce.’
answered Jan 24 at 6:48
alwayslearningalwayslearning
26.3k63894
See also, my comment at Zebrafish.
– Kris
Jan 24 at 9:24
As this states it is only a north american word, so be careful of your audience. I also hate the word smart becoming a negative word.
– WendyG
Jan 24 at 10:28
true ^^ to me, smarts = pain
– treyBake
Jan 24 at 16:10
add a comment |
That noun is most likely smarts. It can be used both in positive and negative sense.
ODO:
smart
NOUN
2 (smarts) North American informal
Intelligence; acumen.
‘Nikki was intelligent while Jack had a different type of smarts.’
‘He has great vision and tremendous smarts in terms of knowing when to
fair catch a ball and when to let it bounce.’
answered Jan 24 at 6:48
alwayslearningalwayslearning
26.3k63894
That noun is most likely smarts. It can be used both in positive and negative sense.
ODO:
smart
NOUN
2 (smarts) North American informal
Intelligence; acumen.
‘Nikki was intelligent while Jack had a different type of smarts.’
‘He has great vision and tremendous smarts in terms of knowing when to
fair catch a ball and when to let it bounce.’
answered Jan 24 at 6:48
alwayslearningalwayslearning
26.3k63894
edited Jan 24 at 6:53
answered Jan 24 at 6:48
alwayslearningalwayslearning
26.3k63894
answered Jan 24 at 6:48
alwayslearningalwayslearning
26.3k63894
answered Jan 24 at 6:48
alwayslearningalwayslearning
26.3k63894
26.3k63894
See also, my comment at Zebrafish.
– Kris
Jan 24 at 9:24
As this states it is only a north american word, so be careful of your audience. I also hate the word smart becoming a negative word.
– WendyG
Jan 24 at 10:28
true ^^ to me, smarts = pain
– treyBake
Jan 24 at 16:10
add a comment |
See also, my comment at Zebrafish.
– Kris
Jan 24 at 9:24
As this states it is only a north american word, so be careful of your audience. I also hate the word smart becoming a negative word.
– WendyG
Jan 24 at 10:28
true ^^ to me, smarts = pain
– treyBake
Jan 24 at 16:10
See also, my comment at Zebrafish.
– Kris
Jan 24 at 9:24
See also, my comment at Zebrafish.
– Kris
Jan 24 at 9:24
As this states it is only a north american word, so be careful of your audience. I also hate the word smart becoming a negative word.
– WendyG
Jan 24 at 10:28
As this states it is only a north american word, so be careful of your audience. I also hate the word smart becoming a negative word.
– WendyG
Jan 24 at 10:28
true ^^ to me, smarts = pain
– treyBake
Jan 24 at 16:10
true ^^ to me, smarts = pain
– treyBake
Jan 24 at 16:10
add a comment |
I guess you could call that kind of person a shrewd person because the ability of being shrewd includes an element of slyness. And, of course, the noun form of the adjective shrewd would be shrewdness. The following are the definitions for both terms that you can find in the Cambridge Dictionary.
shrewd:
A shrewd person is able to understand and judge a situation quickly and to use this understanding to their own advantage.
Example sentence:
He was shrewd enough not to take the job when there was the possibility of getting a better one a few months later.
shrewdness:
clear understanding and good judgment of a situation, usually resulting in an advantage
Example sentences:
She was a woman of great courage and political shrewdness.
He has approached the task with commitment, intelligence, and shrewdness.
answered Jan 24 at 16:12
Mike RMike R
4,99321743
add a comment |
I guess you could call that kind of person a shrewd person because the ability of being shrewd includes an element of slyness. And, of course, the noun form of the adjective shrewd would be shrewdness. The following are the definitions for both terms that you can find in the Cambridge Dictionary.
shrewd:
A shrewd person is able to understand and judge a situation quickly and to use this understanding to their own advantage.
Example sentence:
He was shrewd enough not to take the job when there was the possibility of getting a better one a few months later.
shrewdness:
clear understanding and good judgment of a situation, usually resulting in an advantage
Example sentences:
She was a woman of great courage and political shrewdness.
He has approached the task with commitment, intelligence, and shrewdness.
answered Jan 24 at 16:12
Mike RMike R
4,99321743
add a comment |
I guess you could call that kind of person a shrewd person because the ability of being shrewd includes an element of slyness. And, of course, the noun form of the adjective shrewd would be shrewdness. The following are the definitions for both terms that you can find in the Cambridge Dictionary.
shrewd:
A shrewd person is able to understand and judge a situation quickly and to use this understanding to their own advantage.
Example sentence:
He was shrewd enough not to take the job when there was the possibility of getting a better one a few months later.
shrewdness:
clear understanding and good judgment of a situation, usually resulting in an advantage
Example sentences:
She was a woman of great courage and political shrewdness.
He has approached the task with commitment, intelligence, and shrewdness.
answered Jan 24 at 16:12
Mike RMike R
4,99321743
I guess you could call that kind of person a shrewd person because the ability of being shrewd includes an element of slyness. And, of course, the noun form of the adjective shrewd would be shrewdness. The following are the definitions for both terms that you can find in the Cambridge Dictionary.
shrewd:
A shrewd person is able to understand and judge a situation quickly and to use this understanding to their own advantage.
Example sentence:
He was shrewd enough not to take the job when there was the possibility of getting a better one a few months later.
shrewdness:
clear understanding and good judgment of a situation, usually resulting in an advantage
Example sentences:
She was a woman of great courage and political shrewdness.
He has approached the task with commitment, intelligence, and shrewdness.
answered Jan 24 at 16:12
Mike RMike R
4,99321743
answered Jan 24 at 16:12
Mike RMike R
4,99321743
answered Jan 24 at 16:12
Mike RMike R
4,99321743
answered Jan 24 at 16:12
Mike RMike R
4,99321743
4,99321743
add a comment |
add a comment |
We Japanese also use the word, 心眼 which may have been imported from Chinese, 心眼.
While 心眼 (heart and eyes verbatim) in Japanese simply means to observe a thing and event by heart, not by eyes, in other word, insight or inspiration, 心眼 in Chinese seems to have various meanings;
According to 現代汉語辞典 - Modern Chinese Dictionary
at hand, which was compiled by China Social Science Institute, Language Laboratory, published by 商務印書館 - China Commercial Printing Institute in 1994, 心眼 – xinyanr has various meanings;o
1.内心 - 大妈看倒这未来的八媳妇、心眼打里高兴 - in the heart / in one’s real intention.
2.心地 - 存心 - 心眼好。没安好心眼 - state of mind.
3.聡明机智 -他有心眼。什么事都想得周到 – (have) wisdom, cleverness.
4.対人的不必要的顧慮和考慮－他这个人就是心眼太多 – unnecessary consideration to others, overconcerns.
5.気量(小或窄)－心眼小 - (lack) generosity, human scale.
So it’s pretty easy to translate Japanese word, 心眼 into English, but I think it difficult to think up an English equivalent to 心眼 in Chinese, unless you specify which one of various connotations of 心眼 you have in mind.
answered Feb 3 at 1:19
Yoichi Oishi♦Yoichi Oishi
34.9k111370761
With all due respect, the Chinese usage are correct, but the English translations wrong. Sentence 1 is not using the words "心眼" together, it is an adjective + noun albeit a very strange one, I believe it means eye of the heart ie apple of one's eye. S2: "没安好心眼" = do not have good intentions. S3,4: We would never use "他有心眼" without an adjective, much less to mean "什么事都想得周到" or positive wisdom/considerate. Saying someone has too much 心眼 (他这个人就是心眼太多) is criticising them for being too evil/sly. S5: 心眼小 is a negative criticism, saying someone has a small 心眼 is saying they are petty and unforgiving.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Feb 3 at 11:32
add a comment |
We Japanese also use the word, 心眼 which may have been imported from Chinese, 心眼.
While 心眼 (heart and eyes verbatim) in Japanese simply means to observe a thing and event by heart, not by eyes, in other word, insight or inspiration, 心眼 in Chinese seems to have various meanings;
According to 現代汉語辞典 - Modern Chinese Dictionary
at hand, which was compiled by China Social Science Institute, Language Laboratory, published by 商務印書館 - China Commercial Printing Institute in 1994, 心眼 – xinyanr has various meanings;o
1.内心 - 大妈看倒这未来的八媳妇、心眼打里高兴 - in the heart / in one’s real intention.
2.心地 - 存心 - 心眼好。没安好心眼 - state of mind.
3.聡明机智 -他有心眼。什么事都想得周到 – (have) wisdom, cleverness.
4.対人的不必要的顧慮和考慮－他这个人就是心眼太多 – unnecessary consideration to others, overconcerns.
5.気量(小或窄)－心眼小 - (lack) generosity, human scale.
So it’s pretty easy to translate Japanese word, 心眼 into English, but I think it difficult to think up an English equivalent to 心眼 in Chinese, unless you specify which one of various connotations of 心眼 you have in mind.
answered Feb 3 at 1:19
Yoichi Oishi♦Yoichi Oishi
34.9k111370761
With all due respect, the Chinese usage are correct, but the English translations wrong. Sentence 1 is not using the words "心眼" together, it is an adjective + noun albeit a very strange one, I believe it means eye of the heart ie apple of one's eye. S2: "没安好心眼" = do not have good intentions. S3,4: We would never use "他有心眼" without an adjective, much less to mean "什么事都想得周到" or positive wisdom/considerate. Saying someone has too much 心眼 (他这个人就是心眼太多) is criticising them for being too evil/sly. S5: 心眼小 is a negative criticism, saying someone has a small 心眼 is saying they are petty and unforgiving.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Feb 3 at 11:32
add a comment |
We Japanese also use the word, 心眼 which may have been imported from Chinese, 心眼.
While 心眼 (heart and eyes verbatim) in Japanese simply means to observe a thing and event by heart, not by eyes, in other word, insight or inspiration, 心眼 in Chinese seems to have various meanings;
According to 現代汉語辞典 - Modern Chinese Dictionary
at hand, which was compiled by China Social Science Institute, Language Laboratory, published by 商務印書館 - China Commercial Printing Institute in 1994, 心眼 – xinyanr has various meanings;o
1.内心 - 大妈看倒这未来的八媳妇、心眼打里高兴 - in the heart / in one’s real intention.
2.心地 - 存心 - 心眼好。没安好心眼 - state of mind.
3.聡明机智 -他有心眼。什么事都想得周到 – (have) wisdom, cleverness.
4.対人的不必要的顧慮和考慮－他这个人就是心眼太多 – unnecessary consideration to others, overconcerns.
5.気量(小或窄)－心眼小 - (lack) generosity, human scale.
So it’s pretty easy to translate Japanese word, 心眼 into English, but I think it difficult to think up an English equivalent to 心眼 in Chinese, unless you specify which one of various connotations of 心眼 you have in mind.
answered Feb 3 at 1:19
Yoichi Oishi♦Yoichi Oishi
34.9k111370761
We Japanese also use the word, 心眼 which may have been imported from Chinese, 心眼.
While 心眼 (heart and eyes verbatim) in Japanese simply means to observe a thing and event by heart, not by eyes, in other word, insight or inspiration, 心眼 in Chinese seems to have various meanings;
According to 現代汉語辞典 - Modern Chinese Dictionary
at hand, which was compiled by China Social Science Institute, Language Laboratory, published by 商務印書館 - China Commercial Printing Institute in 1994, 心眼 – xinyanr has various meanings;o
1.内心 - 大妈看倒这未来的八媳妇、心眼打里高兴 - in the heart / in one’s real intention.
2.心地 - 存心 - 心眼好。没安好心眼 - state of mind.
3.聡明机智 -他有心眼。什么事都想得周到 – (have) wisdom, cleverness.
4.対人的不必要的顧慮和考慮－他这个人就是心眼太多 – unnecessary consideration to others, overconcerns.
5.気量(小或窄)－心眼小 - (lack) generosity, human scale.
So it’s pretty easy to translate Japanese word, 心眼 into English, but I think it difficult to think up an English equivalent to 心眼 in Chinese, unless you specify which one of various connotations of 心眼 you have in mind.
answered Feb 3 at 1:19
Yoichi Oishi♦Yoichi Oishi
34.9k111370761
edited Feb 19 at 21:36
answered Feb 3 at 1:19
Yoichi Oishi♦Yoichi Oishi
34.9k111370761
answered Feb 3 at 1:19
Yoichi Oishi♦Yoichi Oishi
34.9k111370761
answered Feb 3 at 1:19
Yoichi Oishi♦Yoichi Oishi
34.9k111370761
34.9k111370761
With all due respect, the Chinese usage are correct, but the English translations wrong. Sentence 1 is not using the words "心眼" together, it is an adjective + noun albeit a very strange one, I believe it means eye of the heart ie apple of one's eye. S2: "没安好心眼" = do not have good intentions. S3,4: We would never use "他有心眼" without an adjective, much less to mean "什么事都想得周到" or positive wisdom/considerate. Saying someone has too much 心眼 (他这个人就是心眼太多) is criticising them for being too evil/sly. S5: 心眼小 is a negative criticism, saying someone has a small 心眼 is saying they are petty and unforgiving.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Feb 3 at 11:32
add a comment |
With all due respect, the Chinese usage are correct, but the English translations wrong. Sentence 1 is not using the words "心眼" together, it is an adjective + noun albeit a very strange one, I believe it means eye of the heart ie apple of one's eye. S2: "没安好心眼" = do not have good intentions. S3,4: We would never use "他有心眼" without an adjective, much less to mean "什么事都想得周到" or positive wisdom/considerate. Saying someone has too much 心眼 (他这个人就是心眼太多) is criticising them for being too evil/sly. S5: 心眼小 is a negative criticism, saying someone has a small 心眼 is saying they are petty and unforgiving.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Feb 3 at 11:32
With all due respect, the Chinese usage are correct, but the English translations wrong. Sentence 1 is not using the words "心眼" together, it is an adjective + noun albeit a very strange one, I believe it means eye of the heart ie apple of one's eye. S2: "没安好心眼" = do not have good intentions. S3,4: We would never use "他有心眼" without an adjective, much less to mean "什么事都想得周到" or positive wisdom/considerate. Saying someone has too much 心眼 (他这个人就是心眼太多) is criticising them for being too evil/sly. S5: 心眼小 is a negative criticism, saying someone has a small 心眼 is saying they are petty and unforgiving.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Feb 3 at 11:32
With all due respect, the Chinese usage are correct, but the English translations wrong. Sentence 1 is not using the words "心眼" together, it is an adjective + noun albeit a very strange one, I believe it means eye of the heart ie apple of one's eye. S2: "没安好心眼" = do not have good intentions. S3,4: We would never use "他有心眼" without an adjective, much less to mean "什么事都想得周到" or positive wisdom/considerate. Saying someone has too much 心眼 (他这个人就是心眼太多) is criticising them for being too evil/sly. S5: 心眼小 is a negative criticism, saying someone has a small 心眼 is saying they are petty and unforgiving.
– Stephanie Chen-Xu
Feb 3 at 11:32
add a comment |
Wit comes to mind, although it seems it isn't often used in a 'negative' context, as it is usually said as a complement. Although I don't see why you can't say something like, "He used his quick thinking and wit to cheat his opponent".
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/wit
answered Jan 25 at 2:52
smesme
1313
+1 and also unlike some answers, to lack "wit" or "wits" also conveys gullibility or foolishness. For example, you can say "My witless cousin fell for another scam", or "Jenkins is brave but he lacks the wits needed for this mission behind enemy lines".
– user568458
Jan 25 at 13:00
add a comment |
Wit comes to mind, although it seems it isn't often used in a 'negative' context, as it is usually said as a complement. Although I don't see why you can't say something like, "He used his quick thinking and wit to cheat his opponent".
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/wit
answered Jan 25 at 2:52
smesme
1313
+1 and also unlike some answers, to lack "wit" or "wits" also conveys gullibility or foolishness. For example, you can say "My witless cousin fell for another scam", or "Jenkins is brave but he lacks the wits needed for this mission behind enemy lines".
– user568458
Jan 25 at 13:00
add a comment |
Wit comes to mind, although it seems it isn't often used in a 'negative' context, as it is usually said as a complement. Although I don't see why you can't say something like, "He used his quick thinking and wit to cheat his opponent".
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/wit
answered Jan 25 at 2:52
smesme
1313
Wit comes to mind, although it seems it isn't often used in a 'negative' context, as it is usually said as a complement. Although I don't see why you can't say something like, "He used his quick thinking and wit to cheat his opponent".
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/wit
answered Jan 25 at 2:52
smesme
1313
answered Jan 25 at 2:52
smesme
1313
answered Jan 25 at 2:52
smesme
1313
answered Jan 25 at 2:52
smesme
1313
1313
+1 and also unlike some answers, to lack "wit" or "wits" also conveys gullibility or foolishness. For example, you can say "My witless cousin fell for another scam", or "Jenkins is brave but he lacks the wits needed for this mission behind enemy lines".
– user568458
Jan 25 at 13:00
add a comment |
+1 and also unlike some answers, to lack "wit" or "wits" also conveys gullibility or foolishness. For example, you can say "My witless cousin fell for another scam", or "Jenkins is brave but he lacks the wits needed for this mission behind enemy lines".
– user568458
Jan 25 at 13:00
+1 and also unlike some answers, to lack "wit" or "wits" also conveys gullibility or foolishness. For example, you can say "My witless cousin fell for another scam", or "Jenkins is brave but he lacks the wits needed for this mission behind enemy lines".
– user568458
Jan 25 at 13:00
+1 and also unlike some answers, to lack "wit" or "wits" also conveys gullibility or foolishness. For example, you can say "My witless cousin fell for another scam", or "Jenkins is brave but he lacks the wits needed for this mission behind enemy lines".
– user568458
Jan 25 at 13:00
add a comment |
I have seen people use sophistication for "城府很深", in some sense it agrees with a quality of a person having "心眼".
Cambridge Dict sophistication
the quality of being sophisticated
世故，老練
Her sophistication is evident from the way she dresses.
從衣著打扮明顯可以看出她精明老練。
answered Jan 26 at 0:26
swoopin_swallowswoopin_swallow
1716
You should support your answer by citing a dictionary or another appropriate source.
– V2Blast
Jan 26 at 4:51
add a comment |
I have seen people use sophistication for "城府很深", in some sense it agrees with a quality of a person having "心眼".
Cambridge Dict sophistication
the quality of being sophisticated
世故，老練
Her sophistication is evident from the way she dresses.
從衣著打扮明顯可以看出她精明老練。
answered Jan 26 at 0:26
swoopin_swallowswoopin_swallow
1716
You should support your answer by citing a dictionary or another appropriate source.
– V2Blast
Jan 26 at 4:51
add a comment |
I have seen people use sophistication for "城府很深", in some sense it agrees with a quality of a person having "心眼".
Cambridge Dict sophistication
the quality of being sophisticated
世故，老練
Her sophistication is evident from the way she dresses.
從衣著打扮明顯可以看出她精明老練。
answered Jan 26 at 0:26
swoopin_swallowswoopin_swallow
1716
I have seen people use sophistication for "城府很深", in some sense it agrees with a quality of a person having "心眼".
Cambridge Dict sophistication
the quality of being sophisticated
世故，老練
Her sophistication is evident from the way she dresses.
從衣著打扮明顯可以看出她精明老練。
answered Jan 26 at 0:26
swoopin_swallowswoopin_swallow
1716
edited Jan 26 at 14:19
answered Jan 26 at 0:26
swoopin_swallowswoopin_swallow
1716
answered Jan 26 at 0:26
swoopin_swallowswoopin_swallow
1716
answered Jan 26 at 0:26
swoopin_swallowswoopin_swallow
1716
1716
You should support your answer by citing a dictionary or another appropriate source.
– V2Blast
Jan 26 at 4:51
add a comment |
You should support your answer by citing a dictionary or another appropriate source.
– V2Blast
Jan 26 at 4:51
You should support your answer by citing a dictionary or another appropriate source.
– V2Blast
Jan 26 at 4:51
You should support your answer by citing a dictionary or another appropriate source.
– V2Blast
Jan 26 at 4:51
add a comment |
I'm not sure there's a single word that fits all your uses. Here are a few candidates:
- charm
- charisma
- tact
- manipulation
- wits
- influence
Or perhaps turn the adjective "sly" into the noun "slyness"?
answered Jan 28 at 12:25
CJ DennisCJ Dennis
2,11341645
add a comment |
I'm not sure there's a single word that fits all your uses. Here are a few candidates:
- charm
- charisma
- tact
- manipulation
- wits
- influence
Or perhaps turn the adjective "sly" into the noun "slyness"?
answered Jan 28 at 12:25
CJ DennisCJ Dennis
2,11341645
add a comment |
I'm not sure there's a single word that fits all your uses. Here are a few candidates:
- charm
- charisma
- tact
- manipulation
- wits
- influence
Or perhaps turn the adjective "sly" into the noun "slyness"?
answered Jan 28 at 12:25
CJ DennisCJ Dennis
2,11341645
I'm not sure there's a single word that fits all your uses. Here are a few candidates:
- charm
- charisma
- tact
- manipulation
- wits
- influence
Or perhaps turn the adjective "sly" into the noun "slyness"?
answered Jan 28 at 12:25
CJ DennisCJ Dennis
2,11341645
answered Jan 28 at 12:25
CJ DennisCJ Dennis
2,11341645
answered Jan 28 at 12:25
CJ DennisCJ Dennis
2,11341645
answered Jan 28 at 12:25
CJ DennisCJ Dennis
2,11341645
2,11341645
add a comment |
add a comment |
You may want to consider "stealth" (stealthily, stealthful) along with the others for a good descriptive word for
for the qualities of your descriptions.
https://www.thefreedictionary.com/stealth
answered Feb 19 at 23:17
user22542user22542
3,2641411
add a comment |
You may want to consider "stealth" (stealthily, stealthful) along with the others for a good descriptive word for
for the qualities of your descriptions.
https://www.thefreedictionary.com/stealth
answered Feb 19 at 23:17
user22542user22542
3,2641411
add a comment |
You may want to consider "stealth" (stealthily, stealthful) along with the others for a good descriptive word for
for the qualities of your descriptions.
https://www.thefreedictionary.com/stealth
answered Feb 19 at 23:17
user22542user22542
3,2641411
You may want to consider "stealth" (stealthily, stealthful) along with the others for a good descriptive word for
for the qualities of your descriptions.
https://www.thefreedictionary.com/stealth
answered Feb 19 at 23:17
user22542user22542
3,2641411
answered Feb 19 at 23:17
user22542user22542
3,2641411
answered Feb 19 at 23:17
user22542user22542
3,2641411
answered Feb 19 at 23:17
user22542user22542
3,2641411
3,2641411
add a comment |
add a comment |
protected by tchrist♦ Jan 24 at 22:49
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2
In English, nouns and adjectives don't have cases (at least not morphologically); only pronouns have retained clearly marked cases.
– Acccumulation
Jan 24 at 16:23
1
You could describe someone as a cute hoor, but that would not be understood outside of Ireland.
– TRiG
Jan 25 at 15:26
An adjective that can be either positive or negative with a similar sense is ‘canny.’ According to the ODO: Having or showing shrewdness or good judgement, especially in money or business matters.
– Al Maki
Feb 20 at 12:14