理论 (lǐ lùn) — (noun) theory; (verb) to argue, to debate | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

As a noun, 理论 means 'theory' — an abstract set of ideas, as opposed to 实践 (practice). As a verb meaning 'to argue,' it's broader than 辩论 (formal debate): it covers everyday disputes, like arguing with someone over a point.

noun

theory

verb

to argueto debate

Measure word · 个

Examples

理论，。
Zhè ge lǐ lùn hěn yǒu míng, hěn duō rén dōu zhī dào.
This theory is famous; many people know about it.
理论，。
Tā xǐ huan gēn bié rén lǐ lùn, dàn cóng bú rèn shū.
He likes to argue with others, but never admits defeat.
理论。
Wǒ men bú yīng gāi zài zhè zhǒng xiǎo shì shàng lǐ lùn.
We shouldn't argue over such trivial matters.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

理lǐreason

论lùndiscourse

理 (reason) and 论 (discourse) combine to mean a theory or reasoned argument.

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.

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 論; 论 is its simplified writing.

言侖論

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

侖

侖lún論lùn

Same sound today

The traditional form 論 pairs 言 (“say”) with 侖 as a sound component; the simplified 论 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical parts.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 5 HSK 2.0 Level 5 Science (General)3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words 5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

Browse more HSK 5 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.