Meanings of 无理
By ear
Play it, then pick what 无理 means.
About 无理
Podcast: 无理
Podcast: 无理
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 无理
不合理 (bù hé lǐ) vs 无理 (wú lǐ): use 不合理 when emphasizing a lack of reasonableness in a practical context, while 无理 conveys a stronger sense of being irrational or unreasonable.
Learners often confuse 无理 with similar terms like 不合理 (bù hé lǐ), which means 'unreasonable' but carries a slightly different nuance. Use 无理 in more informal contexts, while 不合理 may be more suitable for formal discussions or writing.
Although 无理 is not specifically listed in HSK vocabulary, it is beneficial for learners at HSK level 4 and above. Focus on how it interacts with other adjectives like 合理 (hé lǐ - reasonable) to enhance understanding of opposites in Chinese.
Learners might mistakenly use 无理 in contexts that require a more formal tone or a different meaning, such as saying '这个计划无理' (zhè ge jìhuà wú lǐ) when they should use 不合理 or 不合理的计划 (bù hé lǐ de jìhuà) to sound more appropriate.
Pronunciation of 无理
Drill the tone of 无理, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 无理 to you
Let me explain 无理 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 无理 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 无理?
Learning Lab
Knowing 无理 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Component characters
How to say irrational in Chinese
“irrational” in Chinese is无理
无理 (wú lǐ) refers to something that is irrational or unreasonable, often used to describe actions, arguments, or attitudes that lack logical justification. This term is commonly encountered in discussions about behavior, decision-making, or legal matters, where an absence of reason is emphasized.
When to use 无理
Learners often confuse 无理 with similar terms like 不合理 (bù hé lǐ), which means 'unreasonable' but carries a slightly different nuance. Use 无理 in more informal contexts, while 不合理 may be more suitable for formal discussions or writing.
无理 or something close to it
不合理 (bù hé lǐ) vs 无理 (wú lǐ): use 不合理 when emphasizing a lack of reasonableness in a practical context, while 无理 conveys a stronger sense of being irrational or unreasonable.
What learners get wrong
Learners might mistakenly use 无理 in contexts that require a more formal tone or a different meaning, such as saying '这个计划无理' (zhè ge jìhuà wú lǐ) when they should use 不合理 or 不合理的计划 (bù hé lǐ de jìhuà) to sound more appropriate.
Write 无理
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 无理 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 无理?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Frequently asked questions about 无理
You can say: 他的要求无理 (tā de yāoqiú wú lǐ) which means 'His demands are unreasonable.'
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 无理?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.