Chinese word

理论

Pronunciation

Pinyinlǐ lùn

Meaning

  • nountheory

Example

这是一个新的理论。zhè shì yí gè xīn de lǐ lùn

This is a new theory.

Illustration for 理论 (theory)

More examples

理论和实践结合可以提高效率。lǐ lùn hé shí jiàn jié hé ké yǐ tí gāo xiào lǜ

Combining theory and practice can improve efficiency.

Core concept

A connected set of ideas that explains a phenomenon and expresses the general rule behind it.

Common phrases

  • 理解理论lí jiě lǐ lùn

    understand the theory

  • 理论和实践lǐ lùn hé shí jiàn

    theory and practice

  • 理论上lǐ lùn shàng

    in theory

Similar words

意见yì jiàn: A person's own opinion or judgment about a matter.
看法kàn fǎ: A person's way of seeing or thinking about a matter.

Definition in Chinese

用来解释某一现象或问题的系统性观点或原理，既可指学术上的学说，也可指个人的推测。yòng lái jiě shì mǒu yí xiàn xiàng huò wèn tí de xì tǒng xìng guān diǎn huò yuán lǐ jì kě zhǐ xué shù shàng de xué shuō yě kě zhǐ gè rén de tuī cè

Word origin

理论 (lǐlùn, "theory") combines 理 (lǐ, "underlying order") with 论 (lùn, "discussion"), forming the idea of a reasoned account that organizes facts.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Chinese, 理论 (lǐlùn, "theory") can sound less technical than English theory, so context shows whether it means an established framework or a personal explanation.

Other meanings

  • principlenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word