hữu lí
Definition
- Adjective:
- Reasonable, rational, logical: "Hữu lí" describes something that is based on or in accordance with reason, logic, or sound judgment. It refers to ideas, arguments, or actions that are sensible and well-founded.
Usage
- "Hữu lí" is used to evaluate the soundness of a statement, plan, or decision. It indicates that something makes sense and is justifiable.
- It is a formal and somewhat literary term in modern Vietnamese. In everyday conversation, "hợp lí" is more commonly used with a similar meaning.
- It typically follows the noun it modifies (e.g., "lập luận hữu lí" - a reasonable argument).
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Lời giải thích của anh ấy rất hữu lí. (His explanation is very reasonable.)
- Đề xuất đó nghe có vẻ hữu lí. (That proposal sounds logical.)
- Chúng ta cần một phương án hữu lí hơn. (We need a more rational solution.)
Advanced Usage
- "Có lí/hữu lí": A fixed phrase meaning "to be right/reasonable".
- Anh nói có lí/hữu lí. (What you say is right/reasonable.)
Variants and Related Words
- Hợp lí (adj): Reasonable, rational. This is the more common synonym in contemporary usage.
- Giá cả hợp lí. (Reasonable price.)
- Vô lí (adj): Unreasonable, irrational. This is the direct antonym.
- Yêu cầu vô lí. (An unreasonable demand.)
- Lí lẽ (n): Reason, argument.
- Trình bày lí lẽ. (To present one's arguments.)
Synonyms
- Hợp lí: Reasonable, sensible.
- Phải chăng: Reasonable, fair.
- Có căn cứ: Well-founded, based on grounds.
Related Idioms
- "Ông nói gà, bà nói vịt": (Lit: The man says chicken, the woman says duck.) This idiom describes a situation where people talk at cross-purposes, lacking a "hữu lí" (reasonable) common ground for discussion.
- Cuộc thảo luận chẳng đi đến đâu vì ông nói gà, bà nói vịt. (The discussion got nowhere because they were talking at cross-purposes.)