道理|どうりdouri[3]odaka (tail-high)

1. nounreason; logic; sense; truth; right
   どうしてお前まえは道理どうりに従したがおうとしないのか。↗

   Why will you not listen to reason?

• Synonym理由りゆうNeutralThe most versatile word for a reason or cause; it points to a specific cause, while 「道理」 is about what accords with reason and common sense.
• Synonym理屈りくつNeutralReason or logic, but it also covers twisted logic like 「屁理屈」; the emphasis is on arguing from theory.
• Synonym訳わけNeutralA cause or circumstance behind something, as in 「訳がわからない」; very common in speech.
• Synonym根拠こんきょNeutralThe basis or grounds for a claim, as in 「根拠のない噂」; it stresses the evidence backing something up.
• Synonym所以ゆえんWrittenThe reason why something is so, as in 「人の人たる所以」; written style.
• Related由よしWrittenAn old, literary word for a reason or cause, also a means; mostly in set phrases like 「知る由もない」.
• Related事由じゆうFormalA reason or the particulars of a matter, leaning legal and official; formal.
• Related原理げんりNeutralA fundamental theory or principle, stressing scientific principles.
• Related原則げんそくNeutralA basic rule or principle, stressing norms and standards.
• RelatedいわれNeutralThe origin or history behind something, as in 「謂れのない非難」; it stresses the grounds a thing rests on.
• Related原由げんゆWrittenA cause or origin; written in style and not often used.
• RelatedプリンシプルNeutralA loanword for a principle or guiding policy; leans toward business contexts.
• Antonym無理むりNeutralAntonym: unreasonableness or forcing something; the opposite of according with 「道理」.
• Antonym理不尽りふじんNeutralAntonym: outrageous, unreasonable conduct; the opposite of the reasonableness of 「道理」.

Use 「道理」 for what accords with reason and common sense, or the moral path one should follow, as in 「道理に合わない」 and 「道理で」 (no wonder). For a cause say 「理由」, for theory or logic 「理屈」, for grounds 「根拠」; the antonyms are 「無理」 and 「理不尽」.

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

1. ある原因げんいんに対たいして、納得なっとくのできる結果けっかが自然しぜんに生しょうずること。又または、そのような因果いんが。
2. 人ひととして正ただしく生いきるための指針ししん。道徳どうとく。
3. 納得なっとくができる理由りゆう、わけ。筋すじが通かよっていること。正ただしさ。
4. 当然とうぜんであること。容易よういに納得なっとくできること。なるほどと思おもえること。