Book smart?

Question

Does anyone have a good idiomatic translation of "book smart"? I can't seem to figure anything out. The translator says "datos inteligentes"... which makes no sense in the idiomatic sense. Thank you for your help (:

Answer 1

Hi, I'm guessing but, maybe it's culto or I chanced upon this: una persona muy leída

I agree with this. Cannot vote though. - tradjur, Jan 11, 2011

Muchas gracias :D - SavviVague, Jan 11, 2011

Answer 2

sabelotodo.

1. com. coloq. Que presume de sabio sin serlo.

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This has a negative connotation though, right? Book smart does not. - LuzSolar, Jan 11, 2011

I agree, LuzSolar. Book smart is not necessarily negative. That is why the phrase "just this side of" before "perjorative" in my post. But it does imply that a person lacks experience & may handle improperly based on unconsidered book knowledge alone. - Janice, Jan 12, 2011

Maybe it can be a little bit negative, for example "He might be a book smart but let's see if he can change the bulb of the kitchen!" - culé, Jan 12, 2011

Answer 3

Neither "culto/-a" nor "una persona muy leida" seems to capture what I would think is meant to be meant by "book-smart".

"Book-smart" implies a kind of knowledge based on only reading - with no application, no experience, and often used to indicate that the person who is "book-smart" has not considered that the "books" read might even be wrong

Does anyone else find the term (just this side of) pejorative?

Culto/-a and "una persona muy leida" sound like ways I would like to be, on the other hand.

Yep, maybe you'd be right, but what do you suggest? - culé, Jan 11, 2011

I found your question a very good one, indeed - but do not have an answer! I am an eternal beginner in this language, I am afraid. - Janice, Jan 12, 2011

Hehehe, seems like I was wrong too, medi. has got the answer. :) - culé, Jan 12, 2011