Refers to the rational basis, logical coherence, or underlying principle of something. Often used in phrases like 理にかなう (to be reasonable) or 理をわきまえる (to understand reason).
general principle (Buddhism)
Buddhist term contrasting universal principle (理) with individual concrete phenomena (事). Rare outside specialized contexts.
See also: 事 (じ)
underlying cosmic principle (neo-Confucianism)
In neo-Confucian thought, 理 denotes the fundamental rational principle governing the cosmos. Highly specialized and rare.
His argument is reasonable and logical.
His argument is reasonable.
You should act with an understanding of reason.
In Buddhism, the distinction between principle and phenomenon is considered important.
In Zhu Xi's philosophy, li (理) is considered the origin of all things.
As you get older, you come to understand reason and proper conduct.
He persuaded the other person by reasoning things out thoroughly.
理屈 often refers to reasoning or logic used to justify something (sometimes with a negative 'excuse-making' nuance), whereas 理 is the neutral, abstract principle itself.
理由 is a concrete reason or cause for a specific event, while 理 is the abstract principle or logic behind things in general.
reason; grounds; motive
unreasonable; impossible · forced; compulsory · excessive; overdoing · no way!; impossible! · irrational (math)
understanding; comprehension; appreciation · sympathy; empathetic understanding
management; administration; control
cooking; cuisine; food; dish · handling skillfully; managing; dealing with
Standard kanji form; high-frequency in news and general use.
The kanji 理 originally relates to cutting jade along its natural veins, extended to mean 'principle' or 'reason'. The reading り is the on'yomi.
sorting; arranging; organizing; tidying up · settlement; liquidation; paying off · cutting down; disposal; retrenchment
repair; mending; fixing; servicing
laws of nature; physical laws · physics
prime minister; premier · overall supervision; to oversee; leader; president
representation; agency; acting on behalf of · representative; deputy; substitute; stand-in
director; trustee; board member
logic; logical reasoning
physiology · menstruation; period
cooking; food preparation
rationality; reasonableness
principle; theory; fundamental truth
ethics; morals
reasoning; inference; deduction · mystery genre; detective fiction
ideal; principle; ideology
forcibly; by force; against one's will
reason; rationality; sense
truth; universal truth
the sciences; STEM; science-related
duty; social obligation; debt of gratitude · in-law; relation by marriage
theory; reasoning; logic · unreasonable argument; strained logic; excuse
unreasonable; irrational; outrageous; absurd