非理性 (fēi lǐ xìng) — (noun) irrationality; (adjective) irrational

Definition

Non-rational: describes behavior or thinking that ignores logic or evidence. Used in academic, philosophical, or analytical contexts (e.g. 非理性行为, 非理性恐惧), not everyday speech.

noun
irrationality
adjective
irrational

Examples

  • 非理性。
    Shì chǎng yǒu shí huì chū xiàn fēi lǐ xìng xíng wéi.
    Markets sometimes exhibit irrational behavior.
  • 非理性，。
    Tā de jué dìng wán quán chū yú fēi lǐ xìng, méi yǒu kǎo lǜ hòu guǒ.
    His decision came entirely from irrationality, without considering the consequences.
  • 非理性。
    Xīn lǐ xué jiā yán jiū le zhè zhǒng fēi lǐ xìng de kǒng jù.
    Psychologists have studied this kind of irrational fear.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
前缀qiánzhuìPrefix

A fixed syllable in front that adds a shade of meaning but carries none of its own.

非fēinon-
理性rationality
理lǐreason性xìngnature

非 not, 理 reason, and 性 nature denote the absence of reason.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 非 is drawn from two wings facing opposite directions. It later came to be used for going against or not being.

Open 非 →

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 →

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