理由

• 読み: りゆう
• ローマ字: riyuu
• 漢字の分解: 理 (ri) — logic, reason, principle; 由 (yuu) — cause, reason
• 発音: /ɾi.jɯː/

意味

Reason; grounds; motive. The cause or explanation behind something.

A fundamental noun for expressing causation and explanation. Used in formal and informal contexts alike. Common patterns include 理由は～です (riyū wa ~ desu, the reason is ~) and 理由を聞く (riyū wo kiku, to ask for a reason). More neutral than 言い訳 (iiwake, excuse).

例文

1. 遅れた理由を教えてください。
2. 日本語を勉強する理由は何ですか。
3. 特に理由はありません。

使い方ガイド

場面: conversation, explanation, formal writing

トーン: neutral

起源と歴史

From Chinese roots, combining 理 (logic, reason, principle) and 由 (cause, from). Together they express the logical basis or cause behind something.

文化的背景

時代: Classical

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal