soeng4 lei5常理

Jyutpingsoeng4 lei5

Yalesèuhng léih

名詞Uncommon

Definition

Common sense; logical thinking; conventional ideas or norms.

neutralotherpeople

How it's used

常理 is often used in formal or semi-formal contexts to anchor an argument in shared human logic. It functions as a standard for what is expected or reasonable behavior in a given situation. When something deviates from this, speakers frequently use the phrase 唔合常理 to express disbelief or to highlight an anomaly.

Examples

on3按soeng4常lei5理，keoi5佢dei6哋jing1應goi1該wui2會zeon2準si4時dou3到㗎。

Going by common sense, they should arrive on time.

le1呢gin6件si6事jyun4完cyun4全m4唔hap6合soeng4常lei5理，dim2點gaai2解wui2會gam3咁㗎？

This matter completely defies common sense, why would it be like this?

Common phrases

on3按soeng4常lei5理

according to common sense

m4唔hap6合soeng4常lei5理

defies common sense

Common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse 常理 with 常識. While 常識 refers to general knowledge or basic facts that everyone should know, 常理 focuses more on the logical reasoning or conventional expectations behind a situation.