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

lǐyóu

Traditional: 理由

Line drawing of 理由
Coloured illustration of 理由
HSK 5
#878 of 2,700Core 1000

Translation

reason, grounds, cause

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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

Stroke order for 理

理

Stroke order for 由

由

Examples

?

What is your reason?

。

I have no reason to refuse.

合hé。

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

Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "理由" (reason, grounds, cause): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.

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This word is taught in chapter 11, lesson 8: 理由, 女, 手机 and 6 more words.