Chinese word

理智

Pronunciation

Pinyinlǐ zhì

Meaning

  • nounreason

Example

在感情冲动的时候，他还能保持理智吗？zài gǎn qíng chōng dòng de shí hòu tā hái néng bǎo chí lǐ zhì ma

Can he still hold on to his reason when emotions run high?

Illustration for 理智 (reason)

More examples

作为经济学家，分析市场时应以理智和数据为依据。zuò wéi jīng jì xué jiā fēn xī shì chǎng shí yīng yǐ lǐ zhì hé shù jù wèi yī jù

As an economist, one should base market analysis on reason and data.

Core concept

A steady inner balance that lets clear assessment guide action when emotion or pressure pulls in another direction.

Common phrases

  • 保持理智bǎo chí lǐ zhì

    keep one's reason

  • 失去理智shī qù lǐ zhì

    lose one's reason

  • 用理智判断yòng lǐ zhì pàn duàn

    judge rationally

Similar words

理性lǐ xìng: Clear, logical thinking that is not led by emotion or impulse.
判断力pàn duàn lì: The ability to find a suitable answer or choice from available information.
思维sī wéi: The way the mind develops ideas and organizes their relationships and reasoning.
感性gǎn xìng: A mental tendency to feel beauty and emotional shifts deeply and give them expression.

Definition in Chinese

指个体在面对诱惑、恐惧或强烈情绪时，能够自我控制并以客观分析为依据作出判断的能力或状态。zhǐ gè tǐ zài miàn duì yòu huò kǒng jù huò qiáng liè qíng xù shí néng gòu zì wǒ kòng zhì bìng yǐ kè guān fēn xī wèi yī jù zuò chū pàn duàn de néng lì huò zhuàng tài

Word origin

理 (lǐ, "order") + 智 (zhì, "wisdom") combines a sense of things following a sound order with the mental power to understand and judge, giving the word its focus on orderly judgment.

Usage tips

  • English often separates clear thinking from emotional self-control, while 理智 (lǐzhì, "reason") can cover both in one everyday noun.

Other meanings

  • composedadjective
  • judgmentnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 理智性lǐ zhì xìngrationalitynoun
  • 理智主义lǐ zhì zhǔ yìrationalismnoun

Word lists with this word