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lý

Level ≈B2 (approx.) noun Sino-Vietnamese Top 5,000 most common
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Syllables · tones
lýrisingsắc

Each syllable carries one of six tones; the mark on the vowel tells you which. How the six tones sound →

lý means logic; logics.

Also spelled lí — same word, same meaning.

Chinese characters: 理 Classifier: cái — e.g. một cái lý (one logic)

Meanings of lý in English

Noun

  1. logic, logics
    • Cái lý của trái timthe logic of the heart
  2. reason, logic suitable within a system, principle
    • ... và ra những phán quyết có lý, có tình...and make logical and humanely sentient verdicts

Noun

  1. a kind of folk song
    • lí cây đaa lí song about the banyan tree

Noun

  1. Syzygium jambos

Words with lý

lý dolý thuyếtlý thúlý tưởnglý giảilý luậnlý trílý lịchlý sự

Example sentences with lý

  • Bạn không thể nói lý với anh ta. You can't reason with him.
  • Bạn không nói lý với anh ta được đâu. You can't reason with him.

Bilingual example sentences from Tatoeba (tatoeba.org, CC BY 2.0 FR).

Etymology

Sino-Vietnamese word from 理. Doublet of lẽ.

Frequently asked questions

What does lý mean in English?

lý (noun) means "logic; logics".

How do you pronounce lý?

Tones: lý — rising tone (sắc).

Is lý a Sino-Vietnamese word?

Yes. lý is a Sino-Vietnamese word from the Chinese characters 理.

What classifier is used with lý?

Common classifiers: cái — for example "một cái lý" (one logic).

Meanings, pronunciation and etymology from English Wiktionary (wiktionary.org, via kaikki.org; CC BY-SA 4.0), reviewed and edited; example sentences from Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR). IPA shown for three accents: Hanoi (Northern), Huế (Central) and Saigon (Southern). The Listen button uses your browser's Vietnamese voice, for reference only. Levels are approximate, estimated from word frequency. Spotted a mistake? Let NgonNgu know.