理

Meaning

Reason, logic, principle · razón, lógica

Readings

• On (音読み): リ
• Kun (訓読み): —

Example words

• 料理（りょうり）— cooking; a dish
• 理由（りゆう）— reason
• 無理（むり）— impossible; unreasonable

Structure

Radical 玉 written as 王 here (たま・おうへん · Jewel, king) · 11 strokes · school grade 2

Watch out

The 王 on the left is the jewel radical (玉): polishing a gem along its veins = putting things in order. 無理 is everyday: 無理！ (no way), 無理しないで (don't overdo it). False friend: 理由 is only a motive or cause, never razón in tener razón (to be right) — that is 正しい / その通り. Compare 里 (village) on the right.