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理所应当 (lǐ suǒ yīng dāng) — it's only right and proper; it goes without saying

Definition

Set phrase meaning something is 'as it should be' — natural, deserved, and not needing further justification. Tone is calm and assertive, stronger and more fixed than the everyday 应该.

idiom
it's only right and properit goes without saying

Examples

  • ，理所应当。
    Tā bāng zhù le bié rén, zhè shì lǐ suǒ yīng dāng de.
    He helped others; this is only right and proper.
  • ，理所应当。
    Nǐ fù chū le nǔ lì, dé dào huí bào shì lǐ suǒ yīng dāng de shì qing.
    You put in the effort, so receiving returns is a matter of course.
  • ，理所应当。
    Zuò wéi fù mǔ, zhào gù hái zi shì lǐ suǒ yīng dāng de zé rèn.
    As parents, taking care of children is a duty that goes without saying.

Origin

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
斤斤jīnaxe
Sound part声符shēngfú
戶
戶hù所suǒ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

所 pairs 斤, an axe, with 戶, which gives the sound hù; the old meaning was the sound of logging.

Open 所 →

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 應; 应 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
心心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
䧹
䧹䧹應yìng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 應 pairs 心 (heart) with 䧹 as a sound part; the simplified 应 is a later shorthand and its parts are not the original components.

Open 应 →

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 當; 当 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
田田tiánfield
Sound part声符shēngfú
尚
尚shàng當dāng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 當 combines 田 (field) with 尚; the evidence describes fields facing each other.

Open 当 →
Appears in
Attitudes & OpinionsIdioms & Set Phrases

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