Meaning of 道理
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- reason
- argument
- sense
- principle
- basis
- justification
Measure word: 個|个
How to use 道理
道理 is very common in speech for saying something makes sense or explaining the reasoning behind it. Common patterns are 有道理 (yǒu dàolǐ, makes sense) and 讲道理 (jiǎng dàolǐ, be reasonable). Example: 你说得很有道理。(Nǐ shuō de hěn yǒu dàolǐ.) What you said makes a lot of sense.
道 (dào) is a road or way, and 理 (lǐ) is the pattern or logic of things. Put them together and you get the right road of logic, which is reason or principle.
Common mistake: Learners often say 道理 with two full tones in casual speech, but many native speakers say dàoli with a light, neutral second syllable, as the dictionary also notes. Also do not use 道理 for the cause of an event, like why it rained. Use 原因 (yuányīn) for that.
道理 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.
道 dào · road · 12 strokes
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理 lǐ · texture · 11 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 道理.
| 知道 | zhīdào | to know; to become aware of; also pr. [zhi1dao5] |
| 味道 | wèidào | flavor; taste; (fig.) feeling (of ...); sense (of ...); hint (of ...) |
| 道路 | dàolù | road; path |
| 经理 | jīnglǐ | manager; director |
| 理想 | lǐxiǎng | an ideal; a dream |
| 难道 | nándào | don't tell me ...; could it be that...? |
| 处理 | chǔlǐ | to handle; to deal with; to punish |
| 理解 | lǐjiě | to comprehend; to understand |
| 理由 | lǐyóu | reason; grounds |
| 理论 | lǐlùn | theory; to argue |
| 管理 | guǎnlǐ | to supervise; to manage |
| 报道 | bàodào | to report (news); report |
Questions about 道理
What does 道理 mean?
道理 (dàolǐ) means "reason; argument" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 道理?
道理 is made of 2 characters: 道 (12 strokes), 理 (11 strokes). That is 23 strokes in total.
Is 道理 an HSK word?
Yes. 道理 is on the HSK 2 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 道理 and 理由?
道理 is the general logic or principle that makes something right or sensible. 理由 (lǐyóu) is a specific reason or excuse a person gives for doing something, like a reason for being late.
How do I say someone is unreasonable using 道理?
Say 不讲道理 (bù jiǎng dàolǐ), meaning someone refuses to listen to reason. For example, 他太不讲道理了。(Tā tài bù jiǎng dàolǐ le.) He is being totally unreasonable.