讲理 jiǎnglǐ to argue
to argue; to reason with somebody; to talk sense; to be reasonable
How to remember 讲理: 讲 talk + 理 reason = to argue.
Characters
How it is used
- To be reasonable / listen to reason - usually heard in the negative: 你怎么这么不讲理 (nǐ zěnme zhème bù jiǎnglǐ) why are you being so unreasonable.
- Verb-object compound (讲+理), so it splits: 讲不讲理 (jiǎng bu jiǎnglǐ) will you be reasonable or not.
- Spoken, often in arguments. About willingness to reason fairly, not about winning a debate.
Example sentences
- 总有一些人不讲理。 Zǒngyǒu yīxiē rén bùjiǎnglǐ.There are always some people who are unreasonable.