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clever
Intelligent, smart, and quick-thinking, often in a practical or resourceful way.
example
Sie hat eine clevere Lösung für das komplizierte Problem gefunden.
She found a clever solution to the complicated problem.
clever
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Meanings
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Usage tips
False friend
Although 'clever' comes from English, in German it often has a more practical or even slightly cunning meaning. It is not always just a synonym for 'intelligent,' but describes someone who is resourceful and focused on their own advantage.
EXAMPLE
Das war ein cleverer Schachzug, um die Konkurrenz auszustechen.
That was a clever move to outdo the competition.
Context clue
Whether 'clever' is meant positively (smart) or slightly negatively (cunning) depends on the context. A 'clevere Lösung' (clever solution) is positive, while a 'cleverer Betrüger' (cunning scammer) emphasizes the crafty side of the word.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat eine clevere Methode entwickelt, um Zeit zu sparen.
She developed a clever method to save time.
Register
The word 'clever' is used very frequently in everyday language. It often sounds more modern and less formal than other words for intelligence.
EXAMPLE
Das ist eine clevere App, die kannte ich noch gar nicht.
That's a clever app; I didn't even know about it.
Typical collocations
In its positive meaning, 'clever' is often combined with nouns that describe a mental achievement. Typical examples are: 'eine clevere Idee' (a clever idea), 'ein cleverer Plan' (a clever plan), or 'ein cleverer Schachzug' (a clever move).
EXAMPLE
Deine Idee, die Termine zusammenzulegen, war wirklich clever.
Your idea to combine the appointments was really clever.
Compare with
clever vs dumm
stupid / unfortunate
'dumm' and 'clever' are often opposites. 'dumm' describes something or someone as not smart. 'clever' describes a person, idea, or solution as smart, practical, and quick-thinking. 'clever' fits especially well when someone finds a simple, skillful solution. 'dumm' is more about a mistake, a lack of understanding, or a bad decision.
clever
Am Wochenende hat er das kleine Zimmer clever eingerichtet.
Over the weekend, he arranged the small room cleverly.
dumm
Im Gespräch mit dem Verkäufer habe ich einen dummen Fehler gemacht.
In the conversation with the salesperson, I made a stupid mistake.
In real life
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