才思敏捷
cái sī mǐn jié
quick-witted; quick to compose or reply
Character by character
才cái
talent
talent
思sī
thought
thought
敏mǐn
quick
quick
捷jié
nimble
nimble
Example
主持人才思敏捷，几句话就化解了现场的尴尬。
The quick-witted host defused the awkward moment in a few sentences.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
Praise for speed of mind in writing, speaking or repartee, especially when composing on the spot. Bookish; compare 出口成章 from lesson 6-3.
Learn this in Lesson 220 · HSK 9+: 对联、灯谜与飞花令 (Couplets, riddles and poem games)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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