理 (lǐ) - Reason, principle, logic & to manage, to handle

理Tone 3

lǐ ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

俊梁

理 · lǐ

Reason, principle, logic;

to manage, to handle;

the natural order of things;

in physics, a branch of science.

Reason, principle, logicto manage, to handlethe natural order of things

Usage highlights

ReasonManagePhysicsLogicTheoryIdeal

Synonyms

  • 由— reason, cause
  • 管— to manage, to control

Antonyms

  • 乱— chaos, disorder
  • 情— emotion, feeling (as opposed to pure reason)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • This is a matter of principle (原则问题).
  • He manages the company (管理公司).
  • She studies physics (物理学).
  • There is logic in his argument (他的论点有道理).

Collocations

  • Reason(理由)
  • Manage(管理)
  • Physics(物理)
  • Logic(逻辑)
  • Theory(理论)
  • Ideal(理想)

Idioms

  • To act reasonably and accommodate others(通情达理)
  • To be in the right and assured(理直气壮)
  • To pay no attention to(置之不理)
  • Perfectly logical and reasonable(理所当然)
  • To manage household affairs(当家理纪)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Confucian thought, 理 (li) is a fundamental concept referring to the underlying principle or pattern of the universe.
  • In Neo-Confucianism, 理 is often contrasted with 气 (qi, material force), representing the abstract ordering principle.
  • The character is highly valued in names for its connotations of intelligence, reason, and capability.

FAQ