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noun / adjective HSK 5
lǐ zhì
reason · rationality · rational · sensible

Meaning

理智 refers to the ability to think clearly and make decisions based on logic rather than emotion. As a noun, it means 'reason' or 'rationality'; as an adjective, it describes someone or something as 'rational' or 'level-headed'. The word emphasizes mental clarity and sound judgment.

Usage

Commonly used in contexts where someone needs to stay calm and think clearly, especially in emotional or difficult situations. Often appears in phrases like 保持理智 (maintain rationality) or 失去理智 (lose one's reason). Can describe both people and decisions.

Examples

  1. 01
    在这种情况下，我们必须保持理智，不能让情绪影响判断。
    Zài zhè zhǒng qíng kuàng xià, wǒ men bì xū bǎo chí lǐ zhì, bù néng ràng qíng xù yǐng xiǎng pàn duàn.
    In this situation, we must maintain rationality and not let emotions affect our judgment.
  2. 02
    他太生气了，已经失去了理智。
    Tā tài shēng qì le, yǐ jīng shī qù le lǐ zhì.
    He was so angry that he had already lost his reason.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 保持理智
    bǎo chí lǐ zhì
    to maintain rationality
  • 失去理智
    shī qù lǐ zhì
    to lose one's reason
  • 理智的决定
    lǐ zhì de jué dìng
    a rational decision
  • 理智地分析
    lǐ zhì de fēn xī
    to analyze rationally

Antonyms

Origin

Combines 理 (reason/principle) and 智 (wisdom/intelligence) to form a compound meaning 'rational wisdom' or the capacity for logical thought.

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