rationale
Meaning: The underlying reasons or logical basis for a decision, action, or belief; the justification that explains why something was done.
Rationale is used in academic, business, and policy contexts to describe the reasoning behind a course of action. It implies a structured, logical explanation rather than an emotional or instinctive one. Common collocations include 'the rationale behind,' 'provide a rationale,' and 'the rationale for the decision.' Often confused with 'rational' (the adjective meaning reasonable), but rationale is always a noun.
Examples
- The minister was pressed to explain the rationale behind the sudden change in policy. 大臣被追问要求解释突然改变政策背后的理由。Se presionó al ministro para que explicase el fundamento del cambio repentino de política.大臣は政策の突然の変更の背後にある根拠を説明するよう迫られた。장관은 갑작스러운 정책 변경의 이면에 있는 근거를 설명하라는 압박을 받았다.
- The research proposal must include a clear rationale for the chosen methodology. 研究计划书必须包含对所选方法论的明确理由说明。La propuesta de investigación debe incluir una justificación clara de la metodología elegida.研究提案書には選択した方法論に対する明確な根拠を含めなければならない。연구 제안서에는 선택한 방법론에 대한 명확한 근거가 포함되어야 한다.
- Critics argued that the rationale for the merger was purely financial and ignored the impact on staff. 批评者认为,合并的理由纯粹出于财务考量,忽视了对员工的影响。Los críticos arguyeron que la justificación de la fusión era puramente financiera e ignoraba el impacto en la plantilla.批判者たちは合併の根拠が純粋に財務的なものであり、職員への影響を無視していると主張した。비판자들은 합병의 근거가 순전히 재무적인 것이며 직원에 대한 영향을 무시하고 있다고 주장했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, professional, political
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin ratiōnāle (neuter of ratiōnālis, rational), from ratiō (reason, reckoning). Entered English in the mid-17th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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