条理 (tiáo lǐ) — logical order; systematic arrangement; methodic…

Definition

条理 is the logic and clarity in how ideas or steps are arranged (a speech, plan, essay). It emphasizes internal coherence, unlike 布局 (physical layout) or 秩序 (social/sequential order).

noun

logical ordersystematic arrangementmethodical clarity

Examples

条理，。
Tā jiǎng huà hěn méi yǒu tiáo lǐ, ràng rén tīng bù dǒng.
His speech is very disorganized, making it hard for people to understand.
，条理。
Xiě lùn wén de shí hou, tiáo lǐ fēi cháng zhòng yào.
When writing a thesis, logical organization is very important.
条理，。
Zhè ge jì huà shè jì dé hěn yǒu tiáo lǐ, měi yí bù dōu hěn qīng chǔ.
This plan is designed very systematically; every step is clear.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

条tiáoline; item

理lǐorder; pattern

条理 pairs 条, suggesting a line or item, with 理, suggesting order or pattern, to mean methodical arrangement.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 條; 条 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

木木mù

Sound part声符shēngfú

攸

攸yōu條tiáo

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 條 pairs 木, a small branch or stick, with 攸, which shows a person warned by a hand holding a stick, as a sound part; 条 is a later shortened shape.

Open 条 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

玉玉yùjade

Sound part声符shēngfú

里

里lǐ理lǐ

Same sound today

理 pairs 玉 (jade) with 里, which shows how to say it; the jade part points to the old sense of polishing jade.

Open 理 →

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 HSK 2.0 Level 6 Order & Arrangement