理
理·reason, logic
- On-yomi
- リ
- Kun-yomi
- none
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 料理 | りょうり | cooking, dish |
| 理由 | りゆう | reason |
| 無理 | むり | impossible, unreasonable |
| 理解 | りかい | understanding |
Example sentences
母の料理はとてもおいしいです。
ははのりょうりはとてもおいしいです。
My mother's cooking is delicious.
遅れた理由を説明してください。
おくれたりゆうをせつめいしてください。
Please explain why you were late.
一日で全部覚えるのは無理です。
いちにちでぜんぶおぼえるのはむりです。
Memorising all of it in one day is impossible.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
- 理里里 (village) is the right-hand half of 理; 理 adds the jewel radical 王 on the left.
Common mistakes
- Reading 料理 as *りょうじ — 理 is always リ.
- Using 無理 to mean simply 'no' in polite settings — it sounds blunt; 難しいです is softer.
Memory aid
Picture it
The jewel radical 王 next to 里 — polishing a stone along its natural grain, the logic inside the thing.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 理 mean?