Japanese word

理

Pronunciation

Romajiri

Meaning

  • nounlogic

Example

彼の説明には理があります。kare no setsu mei ni wa ri ga a ri ma su

There is logic in his explanation.

Illustration for 理 (logic)

More examples

その提案は、費用の面から考えても理にかなっています。so no tei an wa hi yō no men ka ra kanga e te mo ri ni ka na tte i ma su

The proposal is reasonable even when considered from the perspective of cost.

Core concept

Points to the underlying order that makes an idea or situation understandable and sound.

Common phrases

  • 理にかなうri ni ka na u

    make sense

  • 理を重んじるri o omo n ji ru

    value reason

  • 理があるri ga a ru

    have a valid point

Similar words

道理dōri: The principle that supports a sound judgment or makes an action reasonable.
筋道sujimichi: The connected steps by which an argument or explanation reaches a conclusion.
理由riyū: The cause or grounds that explain why an event or decision occurs.

Definition in Japanese

物事が成り立つ筋道や、筋道にかなった考え。mono goto ga na ri ta tsu suji michi ya suji michi ni ka na tta kanga e

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese character 理 (ri, "reason; principle") derives from Chinese 理 (lǐ), which was associated with the grain in jade and later with order and reason.

Usage tips

  • This noun is useful in broad discussions because it can refer to the reasoning behind an opinion, the principle behind a practice, or the order behind an idea.

Other meanings

  • reasonnoun
  • principlenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word