此理 (cǐ lǐ) — this principle; this reasoning | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Formal written pronoun meaning 'this principle' or 'this reasoning,' used in classical-style or argumentative prose. 道理 covers everyday reasoning; 此理 is the literary, demonstrative form of that word.

pronoun

this principlethis reasoning

Examples

此理。
Wǒ men bì xū lǐ jiě cǐ lǐ cái néng jiě jué wèn tí.
We must understand this principle to solve the problem.
此理。
cǐ lǐ Shì yòng yú suǒ yǒu qíng kuàng.
This principle applies to all situations.
此理。
Tā fǎn fù qiáng diào cǐ lǐ de zhòng yào xìng.
He repeatedly emphasized the importance of this principle.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

理lǐprinciple

'此' means this and '理' means principle, so the word denotes the principle just mentioned.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

止止zhǐfeet
人人rénperson

此 shows 止 (feet) and 人 (person), drawing a person stopping, to mean 'this' or 'here.'

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.

Appears in

Abstract Concepts

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