理|りri[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounreason; principle; logic
   彼かれの言葉ことばは理りにかなっているようだ。↗

   His words sound reasonable.
2. noun, Buddhismgeneral principle (as opposed to individual concrete phenomenon)
3. nounthe underlying principles of the cosmos (in neo-Confucianism)

• Related法則ほうそくNeutralNeutral word for laws and rules, as in 「万有引力の法則」; 「理」 is more abstract.
• Related天則てんそくWrittenWritten/formal prose for the natural order of heaven and earth; 「理」 is broader, also covering reason and logic.
• Related自然法しぜんほうWrittenLegal term of art for natural law; 「理」 is the general word for reason and principle.
• Related自然律しぜんりつWrittenWritten/formal prose for the laws of nature; 「理」 centers on reason and principle.
• Antonym無理むりNeutralNeutral antonym of 「理」 in reasonableness: something forced or unreasonable.
• Antonym非理ひりWrittenWritten/formal prose antonym of 「理」 in reasonableness: what runs counter to reason.

In written/formal prose, 「理」 covers reason, principle and the natural order, as in 「理にかなう」「理屈」. For laws and rules use 「法則」; for laws of nature 「自然律」 or 「天則」. Antonyms: 「無理」, 「非理」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. （リ） 物事ものごとの経緯けいいが、当然とうぜんにそのようになること。物事ものごとの筋道すじみち。