lý do
browser voice
Each syllable carries one of six tones; the mark on the vowel tells you which. How the six tones sound →
lý do means a reason; an excuse.
Also spelled lí do — same word, same meaning.
Chinese characters: 理由 (理 “reason” + 由 “reason”)
Meanings of lý do in English
Noun
- a reason (that which causes: a cause)
- lí do tại saothe reason why
- an excuse (explanation designed to avoid or alleviate guilt or negative judgement)
- viện lí do/cớto use an excuse
Example sentences with lý do
- Tình yêu thì không cần lý do. Love is beyond reason.
- Đó là lý do Tom đến. That's why Tom came.
- Đó là lý do chúng tôi ly dị. That's the reason we got divorced.
- Bạn có mọi lý do để giận tôi. You have every right to be mad at me.
- Đó là lý do tôi đã đi Boston. That's why I went to Boston.
- Anh ta giải thích cặn kẽ lý do. He explained the reason at length.
- Đó là lý do mà tôi đã vắng mặt. That's why I was absent.
- Đó là lý do tôi đã đến nước Úc. That's the reason I went to Australia.
Bilingual example sentences from Tatoeba (tatoeba.org, CC BY 2.0 FR).
Etymology
Sino-Vietnamese word from 理由, composed of 理 (“reason”) and 由 (“reason”).
Frequently asked questions
What does lý do mean in English?
lý do (noun) means "a reason; an excuse".
How do you pronounce lý do?
Tones: lý — rising tone (sắc), do — level tone (ngang).
Is lý do a Sino-Vietnamese word?
Yes. lý do is a Sino-Vietnamese word from the Chinese characters 理由.