理: the kanji for reason, logic, arrange
理 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means reason, logic, arrange. Below are its readings, 13 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
理 is written in 11 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
理 has 1 reading in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 13 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
リ (ri)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 理由りゆう · riyū | reason |
| 料理りょうり · ryōri | cooking; dish |
| 無理むり · muri | impossible; unreasonable |
| 管理かんり · kanri | management |
| 整理せいり · seiri | organizing; sorting out |
| 理解りかい · rikai | understanding |
| 修理しゅうり · shūri | repair |
| 処理しょり · shori | processing; handling |
| 経理けいり · keiri | accounting (department) |
| 心理しんり · shinri | psychology; state of mind |
| 地理ちり · chiri | geography |
| 理想りそう · risō | ideal |
| 代理店だいりてん · dairiten | agency; distributor |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 遅れた理由を説明してください。Okureta riyū o setsumei shite kudasai.Please explain why it was late.
- 無理をしないでください。Muri o shinaide kudasai.Please don't push yourself too hard.
- エアコンの修理をお願いしました。Eakon no shūri o onegai shimashita.I asked for the air conditioner to be repaired.
- 領収書は経理に出してください。Ryōshūsho wa keiri ni dashite kudasai.Please turn in your receipts to accounting.
- お話はよく理解できました。O-hanashi wa yoku rikai dekimashita.I understood what you said very well.
- 机の上を整理してから帰ります。Tsukue no ue o seiri shite kara kaerimasu.I'll tidy up my desk before going home.
Questions about 理
How many strokes does 理 have?
理 is written in 11 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 理?
The on readings are ri (リ). 理 has no kun reading in the Jōyō Kanji Table.
What does 無理 mean?
無理 (muri) means impossible or too much. ちょっと無理です (chotto muri desu) is a soft way to say no. 無理しないで (muri shinaide) means "don't overdo it."
What JLPT level is 理?
N4. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.
More JLPT N4 kanji
Study and thinking
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 理
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.