理当 (lǐ dāng) — (auxiliary verb) should, ought to (formal, literary)

Definition

Literary 'ought to / should' — stronger and more formal than 应该, used in writing or when stating a moral or logical duty. Often paired with 如此 / 负责 / 道歉 etc.

auxiliary verb
shouldought to (formal, literary)

Examples

  • 理当，。
    Nǐ lǐ dāng hǎo hǎo xué xí, bú yào làng fèi shí jiān.
    You should study hard and not waste time.
  • ，理当。
    Zuò wéi gōng mín, wǒ men lǐ dāng zūn shǒu fǎ lǜ.
    As citizens, we should obey the law.
  • 理当。
    Zhè jiàn shì tā lǐ dāng fù zé dào dǐ.
    He should take responsibility for this matter to the end.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

理lǐreason
当dāngought

理当 combines 理, meaning reason, with 当, meaning ought, to say something is due or should happen.

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.

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 →

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