理性 (lǐxìng) — Rationality, rational
HSK 5 | noun/adjective | reason; rational thinking; based on logic rather than emotion
理性 (lǐxìng)
理性 refers to the capacity for rational, logical thinking that is based on reason rather than emotion or impulse. It describes both the quality of being rational and the faculty of reason itself.
Meanings
- [noun] rationality; reason; rational thinking
- [adj] rational; reasonable; logical; level-headed
Example Sentences
面对危机，保持理性判断是解决问题的关键。 Miànduì wēijī, bǎochí lǐxìng pànduàn shì jiějué wèntí de guānjiàn. When facing a crisis, maintaining rational judgment is the key to solving problems.
理性消费意味着根据实际需要而非冲动来做购物决定。 Lǐxìng xiāofèi yìwèizhe gēnjù shíjì xūyào ér fēi chōngdòng lái zuò gòuwù juédìng. Rational consumption means making shopping decisions based on actual needs rather than impulse.
在情绪激动时，人们往往难以做出理性的决定。 Zài qíngjù jīdòng shí, rénmen wǎngwǎng nán yǐ zuòchū lǐxìng de juédìng. When emotions run high, it is often difficult for people to make rational decisions.
他以理性和冷静的态度分析了局势，提出了切实可行的方案。 Tā yǐ lǐxìng hé lěngjìng de tàidù fēnxīle júshì, tíchūle qiēshí kěxíng de fāng'àn. He analyzed the situation with a rational and calm attitude and proposed a practical and feasible solution.
教育应该培养学生的理性思维能力，而不仅仅是记忆知识。 Jiàoyù yīnggāi péiyǎng xuéshēng de lǐxìng sīwéi nénglì, ér bù jǐnjǐn shì jìyì zhīshí. Education should cultivate students' rational thinking abilities, not just memory of knowledge.
理性与感性都是人类认知世界的重要方式。 Lǐxìng yǔ gǎnxìng dōu shì rénlèi rènzhī shìjiè de zhòngyào fāngshì. Both rationality and sensibility are important ways for humans to understand the world.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 理性思维 | rational thinking |
| 理性判断 | rational judgment |
| 理性分析 | rational analysis |
| 保持理性 | maintain rationality |
| 理性消费 | rational consumption |
| 理性与感性 | rationality and sensibility |
Usage Notes
理性 is commonly contrasted with 感性 (gǎnxìng, sensibility/emotionality). The pair 理性 vs. 感性 is widely used in Chinese philosophical, educational, and everyday discourse to discuss the balance between logical and emotional approaches to life.
As an adjective, 理性 can describe both people (理性的人 -- a rational person) and their decisions or behaviors (理性的决定 -- a rational decision). As a noun, it refers to the abstract quality or faculty of reason.
Memory Hook
理 = to reason/put in order (also in 道理 -- reason/logic, 理解 -- understand), 性 = nature/quality -- the nature of reasoning -- rationality.