论理 (lùn lǐ) — to argue (with someone) in order to settle a matter; to have it out

Definition

论理 means to argue or reason something out in order to settle a disagreement — calmer and more rational than 吵架 ('to quarrel'). Often reduplicated as 论理论理 when urging a proper discussion.

verb
to argue (with someone) in order to settle a matterto have it out
Easily confused

Examples

  • 。
    Zhè jiàn shì nǐ bì xū zhǎo tā lùn lǐ lùn lǐ.
    You must go and have it out with him about this matter.
  • 论理。
    Tā men liǎ zài huì yì shì lǐ lùn lǐ le bàn tiān.
    The two of them argued it out in the conference room for a long time.
  • ，论理。
    Yǔ qí zhēng chǎo, bù rú hǎo hǎo lùn lǐ.
    Rather than quarreling, it's better to have a proper argument to settle things.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

论lùndiscuss
理lǐreason

“论” discuss and “理” reason combine to mean discussing reasons, hence arguing to settle a matter.

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 論; 论 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yánsay
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.

Open 论 →

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 →

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