Chinese word

理性

Pronunciation

Pinyinlǐ xìng

Meaning

  • nounreason

Example

不要被情绪左右，要保持理性。bú yào bèi qíng xù zuǒ yòu yào bǎo chí lǐ xìng

Don't let your emotions sway you; keep your reason.

Illustration for 理性 (reason)

More examples

投资时，应以理性为依据，评估风险。tóu zī shí yīng yǐ lǐ xìng wèi yī jù píng gū fēng xiǎn

When investing, use reason as a basis for assessing risk.

Core concept

A steady way of judging situations by principles, clear thinking, and facts rather than by passing feelings.

Common phrases

  • 以理性为依据yǐ lǐ xìng wèi yī jù

    based on reason

  • 理性分析lǐ xìng fēn xī

    rational analysis

  • 理性的判断lǐ xìng de pàn duàn

    rational judgment

Similar words

理智lǐ zhì: A state of clear, sensible thought that keeps strong feelings under control.
感情gǎn qíng: Inner feelings and responses, including happiness, anger, fear, and affection.
情绪qíng xù: A short-term mood or emotional state that can rise, fall, or change quickly.

Definition in Chinese

依据原则、条理和事实做出合理判断的能力或品质。yī jù yuán zé tiáo lǐ hé shì shí zuò chū hé lǐ pàn duàn de néng lì huò pǐn zhì

Word origin

理性 (lǐxìng, "reason; rationality") combines 理 (lǐ, "principle or order") with 性 (xìng, "nature or quality"), naming a quality of following sound order in thought and judgment.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Chinese, 很理性 (hěn lǐxìng, "very rational") can praise a person's clear judgment, although it may sound detached when the situation calls for empathy.

Other meanings

  • rationaladjective
  • rationalitynoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 理性主义lǐ xìng zhǔ yìrationalismnoun
  • 理性思维lǐ xìng sī wéirational thinkingnoun
  • 理性化lǐ xìng huàrationalizeverb

Word lists with this word