Chinese word

理由

Pronunciation

Pinyinlǐ yóu

Meaning

  • nounreason

Example

给我一个理由，我就同意。gěi wǒ yí gè lǐ yóu wǒ jiù tóng yì

Give me one reason, and I'll agree.

Illustration for 理由 (reason)

More examples

她没有理由迟到。tā méi yǒu lǐ yóu chí dào

She has no reason to be late.

Core concept

A clear answer to the question of what stands behind something.

Common phrases

  • 提出理由tí chū lǐ yóu

    give a reason

  • 没有理由méi yǒu lǐ yóu

    have no reason

Similar words

原因yuán yīn: The underlying fact or factor that causes an event or state.
借口jiè kǒu: A surface explanation given to conceal the true reason.
目的mù dì: The result or goal that an action is meant to reach.

Definition in Chinese

说明某事发生的原因或应当那样做的根据，可以指客观事实，也可以指个人的解释或理由。shuō míng mǒu shì fā shēng de yuán yīn huò yīng dāng nà yàng zuò de gēn jù ké yǐ zhǐ kè guān shì shí yě ké yǐ zhǐ gè rén de jiě shì huò lǐ yóu

Word origin

理由 (lǐyóu, "reason") joins 理 (lǐ, "principle or logic") + 由 (yóu, "origin"), bringing together a sound basis and what it comes from.

Usage tips

  • When a conversation calls for this word, adding a concrete fact or piece of background makes the response more informative than giving only a general claim.

Other meanings

  • causenoun

Word lists with this word