Meaning of 合理
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- rational; reasonable; sensible; fair
How to use 合理
合理 describes plans, prices, requests, arrangements, and explanations that are sensible or fair. It often appears after 很 or 不, and it can also go before a noun with 的. Example: 这个价格很合理。(Zhège jiàgé hěn hélǐ.) This price is very reasonable.
合 (hé) means to match or fit, and 理 (lǐ) means reason or logic, as in 道理 (dàolǐ). Something 合理 "fits with reason," so it makes sense and is fair.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 合理 (reasonable, logical) with 合适 (héshì, suitable, a good fit). A price or argument is 合理, but a size of clothing or a time that works for you is 合适. Also keep 合 in the second tone, not hē, which is the tone of 喝 (to drink).
合理 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
合 hé · to close · 6 strokes
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理 lǐ · texture · 11 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 合理.
| 合适 | héshì | suitable; fitting; appropriate |
| 道理 | dàolǐ | reason; argument |
| 经理 | jīnglǐ | manager; director |
| 理想 | lǐxiǎng | an ideal; a dream |
| 处理 | chǔlǐ | to handle; to deal with; to punish |
| 理解 | lǐjiě | to comprehend; to understand |
| 理由 | lǐyóu | reason; grounds |
| 合作 | hézuò | to cooperate; to collaborate; to work together |
| 适合 | shìhé | to fit; to suit |
| 理论 | lǐlùn | theory; to argue |
| 管理 | guǎnlǐ | to supervise; to manage |
| 合法 | héfǎ | lawful; legitimate |
Questions about 合理
What does 合理 mean?
合理 (hélǐ) means "rational; reasonable; sensible; fair" and is used as a adjective.
How do you write 合理?
合理 is made of 2 characters: 合 (6 strokes), 理 (11 strokes). That is 17 strokes in total.
Is 合理 an HSK word?
Yes. 合理 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
Can 合理 describe a person, like "a reasonable person"?
Not usually. 合理 describes things like ideas, plans, prices, and requests. For a sensible person, Chinese speakers more often say 讲道理 (jiǎng dàolǐ) or 通情达理 (tōng qíng dá lǐ).
How do I say "unreasonable" or "to make something reasonable"?
Use 不合理 (bù hélǐ) for unreasonable, as in 这个要求不合理 (this request is unreasonable). You will also see 合理化 (hélǐhuà), meaning to rationalize or make more reasonable, and the adverb form 合理地 (hélǐ de), as in 合理地安排时间 (arrange time sensibly).