(lǐ yóu) - reason, grounds, cause in Mandarin

lǐyóu

Traditional: 理由

HSK 4

#878 of 5,000 Core 1000

Translation

reason, grounds, cause

Word origin

理由 means reason or grounds. 理 (lǐ) means principle, with the 玉 'jade' radical and phonetic 里, from working jade along its grain. 由 (yóu) means cause or from, a pictograph variously explained, often as a vessel with a spout.

Origin: compound
Root: 理 (lǐ, principle) + 由 (yóu, cause)

Stroke order

理

由

Examples

？

What is your reason?

。

I have no reason to refuse.

。

Please give a reasonable reason.

？

What is your reason for being late?

。

I have no reason to refuse him.

理由 (lǐ yóu) means reason, grounds, cause. It is used as a noun in everyday Mandarin speech.

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Mandarin · Free printables

理由: worksheet, infographic and listicle

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This word is part of lesson 18.