常理 chánglǐ common sense
common sense; conventional reasoning and morals
How to remember 常理: 常 often + 理 reason = common sense.
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How it is used
- Common sense / how things normally go - 按常理他应该早到了 (àn chánglǐ tā yīnggāi zǎo dào le) by common reasoning he should have arrived already.
- Frames: 按常理(说), 不合常理, 有悖常理. Refers to ordinary logic and reasonable expectation.
- Contrast 常识 (chángshí, common knowledge/facts everyone knows); 常理 is the reasoning/logic of normal life, not a body of facts.