What does 理 mean in Chinese?

理 (lǐ) means "reason, principle" in Chinese. The new HSK exam expects you to recognise it at HSK 3.

How do you write 理?

Use the interactive stroke-order tool to see how 理 is written.

What is the radical of 理?

Radical information for 理 is being updated.

How many strokes does 理 have?

Stroke count information for 理 is being updated.

What HSK level is 理?

On the new HSK exam syllabus, 理 is a character to recognise at HSK 3.

理 (lǐ): Meaning, Stroke Order, Radical & Examples

理

lǐ

reason, principle

HSK 3 character

Quick Answer

理 (lǐ) means "reason, principle" with HSK 3 on the new exam.

Full dictionary entry for 理 →Animated stroke-order for 理 →

Pronunciation

lǐ

Meaning

Primary: reason

Other meanings:

principle

Basic info

Pinyin	lǐ
Meanings	reason, principle
New HSK exam	Recognise at HSK 3
Frequency	#30 most common

Example sentences

你说得很有道理。
Nǐ shuō de hěn yǒu dàolǐ.
What you said makes a lot of sense.
From 理 (HSK 6)
他是我们公司的经理。
Tā shì wǒmen gōngsī de jīnglǐ.
He is our company's manager.
From 经理 (HSK 3)
我需要整理。
Wǒ xūyào zhěnglǐ.
I need arrangement.
From 整理 (HSK 4)

Words containing 理

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
理	lǐ	reason, principle	HSK 6
经理	jīnglǐ	manager	HSK 3
管理	guǎnlǐ	Administration	HSK 4
理发	lǐfà	Haircut	HSK 4
理解	lǐjiě	Understand	HSK 4
理想	lǐxiǎng	ideal	HSK 4
修理	xiūlǐ	repair	HSK 4
整理	zhěnglǐ	Arrangement	HSK 4
处理	chǔlǐ	Handle	HSK 5
道理	dàolǐ	truth	HSK 5
合理	hélǐ	reasonable	HSK 5
理论	lǐlùn	theory	HSK 5
理由	lǐyóu	Reason	HSK 5
心理	xīnlǐ	Psychology	HSK 5
总理	zǒnglǐ	prime minister	HSK 6
办理	bànlǐ	handle	HSK 4
地理	dìlǐ	Geography	HSK 5
物理	wùlǐ	Physics	HSK 5
不可理喻	bùkělǐyù	unreasonable, impervious to reason

On the new HSK 3 exam

Studying for HSK 3? Keep 理 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 3 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Appears in these articles

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.

理

lǐ