Japanese word

原理

Pronunciation

Romajigenri

Meaning

  • nounprinciple

Example

科学の原理を学びます。ka gaku no gen ri o mana bi ma su

We study scientific principles.

Illustration for 原理 (principle)

More examples

物事の原理を知ると、応用もしやすくなります。mono goto no gen ri o shi ru to ō yō mo shi ya su ku na ri ma su

Knowing the principle behind something makes it easier to apply it.

Core concept

Describes the underlying rule or reason that makes a system, idea, or phenomenon work.

Common phrases

  • 原理を学ぶgen ri o mana bu

    study principles

  • 原理を理解するgen ri o ri kai su ru

    understand principles

  • 原理を説明するgen ri o setsu mei su ru

    explain a principle

Similar words

原則gensoku: A basic rule or standard used to guide actions or decisions.
法則hōsoku: A consistent rule that explains how a natural phenomenon works.

Definition in Japanese

物事が成り立つもととなる基本的な道理。mono goto ga na ri ta tsu mo to to na ru ki hon teki na dō ri

Word origin

The compound 原理 (genri) joins 原 (gen, "origin") and 理 (ri, "reason or order") to name the underlying basis of something.

Usage tips

  • In English, principle can describe both a basic law in science and a personal rule of conduct, so context distinguishes the two senses.

Other meanings

  • fundamental truthnoun

Related words

  • 原理的genritekitheoreticalna-adjective
  • 原理主義genrishugifundamentalismnoun

Word lists with this word