理智

• Pinyin: lǐ zhì
• Hanzi breakdown: 理 = 王 (jade) + 里 (village) — principle in jade; 智 = 知 (know) + 日 (sun)

Meaning

Reason; rationality; rational; sensible. The faculty of logical thinking or the quality of being reasonable.

Refers to the mental capacity for logical thought and sound judgment, as opposed to emotional impulses. As a noun, means reason or rationality. As an adjective, describes someone who thinks clearly and acts sensibly. Often contrasted with 情感 (emotion).

Examples

1. 遇到问题时，要保持理智，不要被情绪左右。 When encountering problems, stay rational and don't let emotions control you.
2. 他是一个很理智的人，从不冲动行事。 He is a very rational person who never acts impulsively.
3. 争吵到最后，她逐渐失去了理智，说了很多伤人的话。 As the argument went on, she gradually lost her reason and said many hurtful things.

Usage Guide

Context: psychology, daily life, advice

Tone: measured

Do Say

• 请保持理智。(Please stay rational.)
• 她很理智地分析了整个情况。(She rationally analyzed the entire situation.)

Don't Say

• 他做了一个理智。(理智 as noun means rationality, not a decision — say 他做了一个理智的决定)

Origin & History

Compound of 理 (reason, logic, principle) and 智 (wisdom, intellect). Together they mean the wisdom of reason, or rational thinking.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal