Meaning of 理由
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- reason
- grounds
- justification
Measure word: 個|个
How to use 理由
理由 is the reason someone gives to explain or justify a choice or action. It often appears with 有 (yǒu), 没有 (méiyǒu), or 什么 (shénme). Example: 你有什么理由不来？ (Nǐ yǒu shénme lǐyóu bù lái?) What reason do you have for not coming?
理 (lǐ) means logic or principle, and 由 (yóu) means "from" or "cause." A 理由 is the logic that something comes from, so it is the reason behind it.
Common mistake: Learners often use 理由 where 原因 (yuányīn) fits better. 原因 is the cause of an event, as in the cause of an accident, while 理由 is a justification a person offers. Also don't mix it up with 自由 (zìyóu), which shares 由 but means freedom.
理由 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.
理 lǐ · texture · 11 strokes
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由 yóu · to follow · 5 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 理由.
| 自由 | zìyóu | freedom; liberty; free; unrestricted |
| 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 |
| 由于 | yóuyú | due to; as a result of |
| 理论 | lǐlùn | theory; to argue |
| 管理 | guǎnlǐ | to supervise; to manage |
| 整理 | zhěnglǐ | to arrange; to tidy up |
| 合理 | hélǐ | rational; reasonable; sensible; fair |
| 理发 | lǐfà | to get a haircut; to have one's hair done; to cut (sb's) hair; to give (sb) a haircut |
Questions about 理由
What does 理由 mean?
理由 (lǐyóu) means "reason; grounds" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 理由?
理由 is made of 2 characters: 理 (11 strokes), 由 (5 strokes). That is 16 strokes in total.
Is 理由 an HSK word?
Yes. 理由 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 理由 and 道理?
理由 is a specific reason given for one action or decision. 道理 (dàolǐ) is a general principle or sense, as in 你说得有道理 (Nǐ shuō de yǒu dàolǐ), "What you say makes sense."
How do you say "there is no reason" or "no excuse" with 理由?
You can say 没有理由 (méiyǒu lǐyóu), for example 你没有理由生气 (Nǐ méiyǒu lǐyóu shēngqì), "You have no reason to be angry." It works for both "no reason" and "no excuse."