Meaning of 理(り) in Japanese

Reading and JLPT level 理

Kana Reading り

Romaji ri

Parts of speech

noun (common) (futsuumeishi)

Meaning

reason; principle; logic

Example sentence

盗人にも三分の理。 Give the devil his due.
Parts of speech

Buddhist term

Meaning

general principle (as opposed to individual concrete phenomenon)
Parts of speech

Meaning

(in neo-Confucianism) the underlying principles of the cosmos

Examples of 理, り in a sentence

理 JLPT 4

11 strokes

logic, arrangement, reason, justice, truth

On'Yomi: リ

Kun'Yomi: ことわり

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