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理性 (lǐ xìng) — (noun) rationality, reason (the ability to think logically and objectively); (adjective) rational, sensible

Definition

理性 means 'rationality' / 'rational' — calm, logical thinking, especially in contrast to emotion or impulse. Pairs closely with 理智 (same idea, more literary); use 合理 for things that are reasonable, and 道理 for the sense/principle behind an argument.

noun
rationalityreason (the ability to think logically and objectively)
adjective
rationalsensible

Examples

  • ，理性。
    Zài tǎo lùn zhōng, wǒ men yīng gāi bǎo chí lǐ xìng.
    In discussions, we should maintain rationality.
  • 理性。
    Tā lǐ xìng dì chǔ lǐ le zhè ge wèn tí.
    He handled this problem rationally.
  • 。
    Lǐ xìng sī kǎo néng ràng wǒ men gèng kè guān.
    Rational thinking can make us more objective.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

理lǐreason
性xìngsuffix

理性 means rationality: 理 supplies the sense of reason, and 性 completes the abstract quality.

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.

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 →

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
忄Written in full as心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
生
生shēng性xìng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

性 is built from 忄 (the heart) and 生 (a sound clue). The heart part connects the word to a person's inner nature or quality.

Open 性 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6Abstract ConceptsPersonality & Traits

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