dào lǐ
raison; principe; vérité
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这个道理很简单。
Zhège dàoli hěn jiǎndān.
This principle is very simple.
我不明白这个道理。
Wǒ bù míngbái zhège dàoli.
I don't understand this principle.
你应该明白这个道理。
Nǐ yīnggāi míngbái zhège dàoli.
You should understand this principle.
理由 (lǐyóu)
reason
原则 (yuánzé)
principle
歪理 (wāilǐ)
fallacy
谬论 (miùlùn)
fallacy
The Chinese word 道理 (dàoli) is composed of two characters: 道 (dào) and 理 (lǐ). 道 originally meant "road" or "path", but it has come to have a much broader meaning, encompassing concepts such as "principle", "reason", and "the Way". 理 originally meant "pattern" or "纹理", but it has also come to have a broader meaning, encompassing concepts such as "principle", "reason", and "logic". Thus, 道理 can be understood as "the principle of the road" or "the logic of the pattern". It is often used to refer to the underlying principles or reasons behind something, or to the principles of conduct that govern human behavior. For example, the phrase 做人要讲道理 (zuòrén yào jiǎng dàoli) means "one should act according to reason or principle".
