(lǐ yóu) - reason, grounds, cause in Mandarin
lǐyóuTraditional: 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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Go to my review queueThis word is part of lesson 18.