Chinese–EnglishWith examples

原理

yuán lǐ · yuan li

Same in simplified and traditional Chinese

HSK 5Old HSK 6

Meaning

CC-CEDICT
  1. principle
  2. theory
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In a conversation

0:23 cartoon

Why the kettle whistles

  1. Liangliang

    这个(zhège)水壶(shuǐhú)水(shuǐ)开(kāi)了(le)会(huì)响(xiǎng)，你(nǐ)知道(zhīdào)原理(yuánlǐ)吗(ma)？

    This kettle whistles when the water boils. Do you know how it works?

  2. Dengdeng

    原理(yuánlǐ)很(hěn)简单(jiǎndān)：水(shuǐ)开(kāi)了(le)，蒸汽(zhēngqì)出来(chūlái)，就(jiù)响(xiǎng)。

    The principle is simple: the water boils, steam comes out, and it whistles.

  3. Liangliang

    你(nǐ)怎么(zěnme)知道(zhīdào)？

    How do you know?

  4. Dengdeng

    我(wǒ)看(kàn)过(guò)书(shū)，原理(yuánlǐ)我(wǒ)都(dōu)懂(dǒng)。

    I have read a book. I understand all the principles.

  5. Liangliang

    那(nà)你(nǐ)会(huì)修(xiū)水壶(shuǐhú)吗(ma)？

    Then can you fix a kettle?

  6. Dengdeng

    我(wǒ)只(zhǐ)知道(zhīdào)原理(yuánlǐ)，不(bù)会(huì)修(xiū)。

    I only know the principle. I cannot fix it.

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In a sentence

2 examples
01

这(zhè)个(ge)机(jī)器(qì)的(de)原(yuán)理(lǐ)其(qí)实(shí)很(hěn)简(jiǎn)单(dān)。

The principle behind this machine is actually very simple.

02

老(lǎo)师(shī)用(yòng)图(tú)解(jiě)释(shì)了(le)杠(gàng)杆(gǎn)的(de)原(yuán)理(lǐ)。

The teacher explained the principle of the lever with a diagram.

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Mainland China stroke order, including traditional characters. Drawing sources & licenses.

Definitions adapted from CC-CEDICT, published by MDBG and its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Pinyin display and entry grouping have been adapted.

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