"Astuto" is an adjective in Spanish.
/a'stuto/
"Astuto" describes someone who is perceptive, clever, and able to understand situations quickly, often to their own advantage. It can have both positive and negative connotations, depending on the context; for instance, while it may imply cleverness, it can also suggest deceitfulness or cunning.
The word is used relatively frequently in both oral and written Spanish, appearing in a variety of contexts, from casual conversation to literature.
Ahora entiendo que su plan era muy astuto.
Now I understand that his plan was very astute.
El vendedor era muy astuto y sabía cómo convencer a sus clientes.
The salesman was very clever and knew how to convince his clients.
Es un astuto jugador de ajedrez; siempre anticipa los movimientos de su oponente.
He is a shrewd chess player; he always anticipates his opponent's moves.
"Astuto" is part of various idiomatic expressions, which reflect its meaning of cleverness and cunning.
Estar astuto como un zorro.
To be as clever as a fox.
This expression is often used to describe someone who is very crafty or wise in their plans.
El astuto siempre gana.
The astute always wins.
This indicates that those who are clever will often find success.
No te dejas engañar por su aspecto; es más astuto de lo que parece.
Don't be fooled by his appearance; he is more cunning than he seems.
This suggests that appearances can be deceiving, and someone can have a sharp mind hidden behind a façade.
A veces, ser astuto es mejor que ser fuerte.
Sometimes, being clever is better than being strong.
This highlights the value of intelligence and cleverness over brute strength.
The word "astuto" originates from the Latin term "astutus," which carries a similar meaning of being keen or shrewd. The root "astuti-" is linked to the idea of sharpness or quickness in thought.
Synonyms: - Ingenioso (ingenious) - Listo (smart) - Sutil (subtle)
Antonyms: - Torpe (clumsy) - Tonto (foolish) - Ingenuo (naive)
In summary, "astuto" is a versatile adjective that conveys the qualities of cleverness and shrewdness, often with the underlying suggestion of a person’s ability to navigate situations to their advantage. It's prominent in both idioms and everyday speech, reflecting its importance in the Spanish language.