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    Chinese Grammar

    The Noun 道理 (dàolǐ): Reason

    Purpose & Reason

    Structure

    讲/懂/有 + 道理

    Explanation

    道理 (dàolǐ) is a Chinese noun meaning "reason," "principle," or "truth." It is frequently used in everyday conversation to refer to logical reasoning or the underlying truth of a matter, as in 讲道理 (to be reasonable).

    Examples

    • 你说的话很有道理,我同意。

      nǐ shuō de huà hěn yǒu dàolǐ, wǒ tóngyì.

      What you said makes a lot of sense; I agree.

    • 跟他讲道理没有用,他根本不听。

      gēn tā jiǎng dàolǐ méiyǒu yòng, tā gēnběn bù tīng.

      There's no use reasoning with him; he doesn't listen at all.

    • 这个道理很简单,小孩子都能明白。

      zhège dàolǐ hěn jiǎndān, xiǎo háizi dōu néng míngbai.

      This principle is very simple; even a child can understand it.

    The Noun 道理 (dàolǐ): Reason | Chinese Grammar