一理ある · godan verb (-ru, irregular)
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 一理ある | 一理ない |
| Polite | 一理あります | 一理ありません |
| Past polite | 一理ありました | 一理ありませんでした |
| Past | 一理あった | 一理なかった |
| Te-form | 一理あって | 一理ないで |
| Desire | 一理ありたい | 一理ありたくない |
| Volitional | 一理あろう | |
| Polite volitional | 一理ありましょう | |
| Imperative | 一理あれ | 一理あるな |
| Conditional | 一理あれば | 一理なければ |
| Tara conditional | 一理あったら | 一理なかったら |
expression, godan verb (-ru, irregular)
have a point; have some truth; make some sense
Used when acknowledging that someone's argument or opinion has at least some validity, even if you do not fully agree. Often appears as 一理あると思う or 一理あると言える.
I think his opinion has a point, too.
Certainly, there is some truth in what you say.
From 一理 (one reason, some truth) + ある (to exist). The phrase literally means 'there is one reason/truth,' and is used idiomatically to acknowledge partial validity.