Definition
说理 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to reason with someone' or 'to listen to reason'. The verb 说 and the object 理 can be separated by measure words, complements, or duration, as in 说了半天理 ('reasoned for a long time'). It is often used in the pattern 跟某人说理 ('reason with someone') or in criticism 说理不说理 ('will you be reasonable?').
v.o.
to reason (with someone)to listen to reason
Examples
- 说理。Nǐ yào gēn tā hǎohǎo shuō lǐ.You need to reason with him properly.
- ，。Wǒ gēn tā shuō le bàntiān lǐ, tā háishì bù tīng.I reasoned with him for a long time, but he still wouldn't listen.
- 说理。Zhè jiàn shì wǒmen bìxū shuō lǐ qīngchu.We must reason this matter out clearly.
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