合理

• Pinyin: hé lǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 合 = lid fitting a container — to conform; 理 = 王 (jade) + 里 (inside) — reason, like the veins inside jade

Meaning

Reasonable; rational; fair. In accordance with logic, common sense, or fairness.

Describes things that are logical, sensible, and fair. Common collocations: 合理的价格 (reasonable price), 合理安排 (reasonable arrangement), 合理的解释 (reasonable explanation). The opposite is 不合理 (unreasonable). Used across many contexts.

Examples

1. 这个价格非常合理。 This price is very reasonable.
2. 我们要合理地安排时间。 We should arrange our time sensibly.
3. 他的解释听起来很合理。 His explanation sounds very reasonable.

Usage Guide

Context: business, everyday, discussion

Tone: rational

Do Say

• 这样安排比较合理。(This arrangement is more reasonable.)
• 合理的饮食对健康很重要。(A reasonable diet is very important for health.)

Don't Say

• 今天的天气很合理。(Don't use 合理 for weather or natural phenomena — it's for things that can be judged by logic. Say 今天的天气很好.)

Origin & History

Compound of 合 (to conform) and 理 (reason/principle). Together they mean 'conforming to reason' — reasonable.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal