Definitions

(noun) reason; logic
(noun) principle; natural law
(verb) to manage; to handle; to deal with
(verb) to put in order; to organize
(noun) texture; grain (of wood)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 𤣩 represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 理 combines the jade radical (王, appearing on the left) with the phonetic component 里. The jade radical links it to precious stones, and its original meaning referred to the natural veins or textures within uncarved jade. This concept of following inherent patterns to properly work the stone extended to mean managing, organizing, and putting things in order. From there, it further developed abstract meanings such as reason, principle, logic, and the natural order governing both human affairs and the world.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他讲得很有道

Tā jiǎng dé hěn yǒu dàolǐ.

What he said is very reasonable.

我不解他的做法。

Wǒ bù lǐjiě tā de zuòfǎ.

I don't understand his approach.

妈妈正在整房间。

Māmā zhèngzài zhěnglǐ fángjiān.

Mom is tidying up the room.

这个想非常伟大。

Zhège lǐxiǎng fēicháng wěidà.

This ideal is very great.

汽车需要专业知识。

Xiūlǐ qìchē xūyào zhuānyè zhīshì.

Repairing cars requires professional knowledge.

一家公司并不容易。

Guǎnlǐ yì jiā gōngsī bìng bù róngyì.

Managing a company is not easy.

国家需要智慧和远见。

Zhìlǐ guójiā xūyào zhìhuì hé yuǎnjiàn.

Governing a country requires wisdom and foresight.

从物学的角度来解释这个现象。

Cóng wùlǐ xué de jiǎodù lái jiěshì zhège xiànxiàng.

Explain this phenomenon from the perspective of physics.