Chinese Conversation · Level 10
90 words
Chinese word
无理
Pronunciation
Pinyinwú lǐ
Meaning
- adjectiveunreasonable
Example
这个要求太无理了。zhè ge yāo qiú tài wú lǐ le
This request is too unreasonable.
More examples
他因为拒绝加班而遭到无理对待。tā yīn wèi jù jué jiā bān ér zāo dào wú lǐ duì dài
He was treated unreasonably because he refused to work overtime.
Core concept
A proposal or explanation cannot stand because its reasoning or terms do not meet normal standards of sense and acceptance.
Common phrases
无理要求wú lǐ yāo qiú
unreasonable demands
遭到无理对待zāo dào wú lǐ duì dài
be treated unreasonably
Similar words
不合理bù hé lǐ: Illogical because it lacks clear reasoning and is hard to accept.
不可能bù kě néng: Impossible to do or to happen in reality.
过分guò fèn: Excessive in degree or behavior and therefore inappropriate.
不可行bù kě xíng: Not feasible in practice, so a plan or request cannot be carried out.
Definition in Chinese
表示没有道理或不合情理，某种说法或要求无法成立或让人接受。biǎo shì méi yǒu dào lǐ huò bù hé qíng lǐ móu zhǒng shuō fǎ huò yāo qiú wú fǎ chéng lì huò ràng rén jiē shòu
Word origin
无 (wú, "without") + 理 (lǐ, "reason") presents the word as the absence of a basis that could support a valid argument or acceptable request.
Usage tips
- When attached to a request, this adjective focuses attention on the request rather than necessarily on the speaker's character, making it useful for setting a firm boundary without a personal attack.