Chinese–EnglishWith examples

理论

lǐ lùn · li lun

Traditional 理論

HSK 3Old HSK 5Measure word: 个 gè

Meaning

CC-CEDICT
  1. theory
  2. to argue
  3. to take notice of
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In a conversation

0:17 cartoon

In theory, ten minutes

  1. Dengdeng

    理论上(lǐlùnshàng)，这个(zhège)菜(cài)十(shí)分钟(fēnzhōng)就(jiù)能(néng)做好(zuòhǎo)。

    In theory, this dish takes only ten minutes.

  2. Liangliang

    可是(kěshì)我们(wǒmen)已经(yǐjīng)做(zuò)了(le)一个(yīgè)小时(xiǎoshí)了(le)。

    But we have been cooking for an hour already.

  3. Dengdeng

    理论(lǐlùn)和(hé)现实(xiànshí)不(bù)一样(yīyàng)。

    Theory and reality are not the same.

  4. Liangliang

    你(nǐ)的(de)理论(lǐlùn)是(shì)对(duì)的(de)，是(shì)我们(wǒmen)的(de)锅(guō)不对(bùduì)。

    Your theory is right. It is our pot that is wrong.

  5. Dengdeng

    算了(suànle)，我们(wǒmen)还是(háishi)去(qù)夜市(yèshì)吃(chī)吧(ba)。

    Forget it, let us go eat at the night market.

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In a sentence

2 examples
01

书(shū)中(zhōng)满(mǎn)是(shì)遥(yáo)不(bù)可(kě)及(jí)、没(méi)有(yǒu)科(kē)学(xué)根(gēn)据(jù)的(de)理(lǐ)论(lùn)。

The book is full of far-flung theories without any basis in scientific fact.

Tatoeba: Chinese by nickyeow · English by darinmex · CC BY 2.0 FR. Simplified Chinese conversion; Pinyin added or corrected.

02

希(xī)腊(là)人(rén)建(jiàn)立(lì)了(le)几(jǐ)何(hé)学(xué)的(de)理(lǐ)论(lùn)模(mó)型(xíng)。

The Greeks invented a theoretical model of geometry.

Tatoeba: Chinese by cienias · English by sharris123 · CC BY 2.0 FR. Simplified Chinese conversion; Pinyin added or corrected.

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How to write

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The characters

Explore individually
理
lǐ

texture; grain (of wood)

论
lùn

opinion; view

Individual character meanings do not always explain the meaning of a whole word.

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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