Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
合理hélǐ(he2li3)
合理 (hé lǐ) means 'rational' or 'reasonable,' referring to ideas or decisions that are logical and justifiable. It is commonly used in discussions about fairness, appropriateness, and sound judgment in various contexts, such as business, ethics, and everyday decision-making.
Frequency#2647DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 合理 is deeply tied to Confucian values, which emphasize balance, harmony, and moral reasoning in social interactions and decision-making.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'harmony' (合) of ideas that makes sense (理). Visualize two people shaking hands over a table filled with balanced scales, symbolizing fairness and rationality in their agreement.
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 合理
Quick Contrast
合理 (hé lǐ) vs 适当 (shì dàng): use 合理 when emphasizing logical reasoning, while 适当 focuses on appropriateness in a given context.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'harmony' (合) of ideas that makes sense (理). Visualize two people shaking hands over a table filled with balanced scales, symbolizing fairness and rationality in their agreement.
Usage Notes
合理 is often used in formal contexts, such as academic writing or professional discussions. Be careful not to confuse it with 不合理 (bù hé lǐ), which means 'unreasonable.' Common collocations include 合理的建议 (rational suggestions) and 合理的价格 (reasonable prices).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 合理 connects with other vocabulary related to reasoning and judgment, such as 理想 (lǐ xiǎng) meaning 'ideal' and 理论 (lǐ lùn) meaning 'theory.' Students should focus on using it in sentences that express reasoning or justification.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 合理 is deeply tied to Confucian values, which emphasize balance, harmony, and moral reasoning in social interactions and decision-making.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 合理 with 合适 (hé shì), which means 'suitable' or 'appropriate.' For example, saying '这个建议不合适' (This suggestion is not rational) is incorrect; it should be '这个建议不合理.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 合理
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 合理 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 合理 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 合理
合理 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Is the council right to be concerned, or is it overreacting?
8
如果我们的领导人认为这是合情合理的，那么谁也帮不了我们了。
rú guǒ wǒ mén de lǐng dǎo rén rèn wéi zhè shì hé qíng hé lǐ de， ， nà mó shuí yě bāng bù le wǒ mén。
If this makes sense to our leaders, then heaven help us all.
9
他叫我等得太久,这是不合理的.
tā jiào wǒ děng dé tài jiǔ, , zhè shì bù hé lǐ.
He kept me waiting an unconscionable time.
10
该项目的开支是否真的合理还未可知。
gāi xiàng mù de kāi zhī shì fǒu zhēn de hé lǐ huán wèi kě zhī。
It is questionable whether the expenditure on this project is really justified.
Cultural Notes for 合理
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of 合理 is deeply tied to Confucian values, which emphasize balance, harmony, and moral reasoning in social interactions and decision-making.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, being 'rational' often focuses on logical reasoning, while in Chinese culture, it also encompasses moral and social harmony, making it a broader concept.
Frequently Asked Questions about 合理
Synonyms include 理智 (lǐ zhì) meaning 'intelligent' and 适当 (shì dàng) meaning 'appropriate.'
Yes, while it is more commonly used in formal contexts, you can also use it informally to discuss reasonable opinions.
You can say, '这个方案非常合理,' meaning 'This plan is very reasonable.'
