理智 lǐzhì reason
reason; intellect; rationality; rational
How to remember 理智: 理 reason + 智 wisdom = reason.
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How it is used
- Reason / rationality; level-headed - 保持理智 (bǎochí lǐzhì) keep a cool head; 他很理智 (tā hěn lǐzhì) he's rational.
- Both noun (one's reason) and adjective (rational); opposite of 感情用事 (gǎnqíng yòngshì, to act on emotion) - 不要感情用事 (búyào gǎnqíng yòngshì) don't let your feelings decide.
- Contrast 理性 (lǐxìng), the more abstract/philosophical 'rationality'; 理智 is the everyday self-control-in-the-moment sense.