Usage note
道理表示事情的原理或原因。
dào lǐ biǎo shì shì qíng de yuán lǐ huò yuán yīn。
道理 means reason, principle, or logic.
Context note
道理常用于解释、劝说和理解。
dào lǐ cháng yòng yú jiě shì 、 quàn shuō hé lǐ jiě。
It is often used in explanation, persuasion, and understanding.
5 examples
这个道理很简单。
zhè ge dào lǐ hěn jiǎn dān。
This principle is very simple.
我明白你的道理。
wǒ míng bái nǐ de dào lǐ。
I understand your reasoning.
他说得有道理。
tā shuō dé yǒu dào lǐ。
What he said makes sense.
做人要讲道理。
zuò rén yào jiǎng dào lǐ。
One should be reasonable in life.
这个道理要记住。
zhè ge dào lǐ yào jì zhù。
Remember this principle.
5 mini stories
老师用简单的话讲道理。
lǎo shī yòng jiǎn dān de huà jiǎng dào lǐ。
The teacher explained the principle in simple words.
孩子慢慢懂得了道理。
hái zi màn màn dǒng de le dào lǐ。
The child gradually understood the reasoning.
他说得很有道理，大家都同意。
tā shuō dé hěn yǒu dào lǐ， dà jiā dōu tóng yì。
He made a lot of sense, and everyone agreed.
道理不是只听一次就懂。
dào lǐ bú shì zhī tīng yí cì jiù dǒng。
Reasoning is not understood after just hearing it once.
遇事先想道理，再做决定。
yù shì xiān xiǎng dào lǐ， zài zuò jué dìng。
When facing matters, think through the reasoning first, then decide.
Mini dialogue
听妈妈的话
A
妈妈为什么让我早睡？
Māma wèishénme ràng wǒ zǎo shuì?
Why does Mom make me go to bed early?
B
她说的有道理，早睡对身体好。
Tā shuō de yǒu dàolǐ, zǎo shuì duì shēntǐ hǎo.
What she says makes sense; going to bed early is good for your health.
分享
A
我不明白为什么要分享玩具。
Wǒ bù míngbái wèishénme yào fēnxiǎng wánjù.
I don't understand why I have to share toys.
B
这个道理很简单，分享能让大家都开心。
Zhège dàolǐ hěn jiǎndān, fēnxiǎng néng ràng dàjiā dōu kāixīn.
The reason is simple: sharing can make everyone happy.
Related words and contrasts
similar
原因
yuányīn
reason, cause
why something happens
related
意义
yìyì
meaning
the point or value of something