理 lǐ — principle, reason · English

理

lǐ

principle, reason

At a glance · 理

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Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested：oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

小篆从玉里声，形声字，本指玉的纹理，引申为治玉、条理。隶楷作「理」。

What the sketch shows

Origins & notes

「理」本指玉纹，引申为道理、治理、事理。

Structure

形声字，玉为意符，里为声符。

At a glance

Pinyinlǐ

Radical王

Strokes11

UnicodeU+7406

Character type形声

Theme数术

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English principle, reason Texture; principle, reason; to order.

Français principe, raison Texture; principe, raison; ordonner.

Español principio, razón Textura; principio, razón; ordenar.

العربية مبدأ، سبب مبدأ أو سبب أو نظام.

Русский принцип, причина Текстура; принцип, причина; приводить в порядок.

Common words

理由lǐ yóureason
道理dào lǐprinciple

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