合情合理

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: hé qíng hé lǐ
• English Translation: reasonable, logical, and emotionally acceptable; fair and justified
• Idiom Composition: 「合」（to fit, to match, to conform）＋「情」（human feelings, emotion, sentiment）＋「合」（to fit, to match, to conform）＋「理」（reason, logic, principle）
• Meaning: Conforming to both human feelings and reason. Describes something that is acceptable both emotionally and logically, being appropriate and reasonable.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「合情合理」 contains the following nuances:

• Harmony between emotion and reason: Emphasizes conformity to both human emotions and feelings and the logical principles of things.
• Sense of conviction: Represents a state that is not only logically correct but also emotionally convincing and acceptable.
• Appropriateness: Indicates appropriate and reasonable judgment or action in a given situation.
• Balance: Implies balanced judgment between emotion and reason, suggesting unbiased, moderate decisions.

3. Usage

「合情合理」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Evaluating judgments and actions: Used when evaluating that someone's judgment or action is appropriate from both emotional and logical perspectives.
  • Example:「他的决定合情合理，大家都信服了。」
    （His decision is reasonable and justifiable, and everyone is convinced.）
• Supporting proposals and opinions: Used when supporting that a proposal or opinion is valid both emotionally and logically.
  • Example:「你的提案我觉得合情合理。」
    （I think your proposal is reasonable.）
• Explaining situations: Used when explaining that a situation conforms to both human feelings and reason.
  • Example:「在这种情况下，他的反应可以说是合情合理的。」
    （In such a situation, his reaction can be said to be reasonable.）

Additional Examples:

1. 法官被要求做出合情合理的判决。
   （Judges are required to make fair and reasonable decisions.）
2. 他的解释非常合情合理，谁都能够接受。
   （His explanation was very logical, and everyone could accept it.）
3. 这个规则是考虑到安全性而制定的，是合情合理的。
   （This rule is reasonable, considering safety.）
4. 考虑到她的立场，她的要求可以说是合情合理的。
   （Her demands can be said to be reasonable, considering her position.）
5. 经营团队需要做出合情合理的经营判断。
   （Management needs to make reasonable business decisions.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• In Chinese traditional culture, 情 (emotion) and 理 (reason) are important concepts. 情 represents values that emphasize human relationships and emotions, while 理 represents values that emphasize objective principles and logic. 合情合理 idealizes a balanced state between these two aspects.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 情理之中 (qíng lǐ zhī zhōng): Reasonable and justifiable, within expected bounds.
  • 通情达理 (tōng qíng dá lǐ): Understanding human feelings and being reasonable.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 不近人情 (bú jìn rén qíng): Lacking human warmth, unsympathetic.
  • 蛮不讲理 (mán bù jiǎng lǐ): Unreasonable, domineering.

6. Summary

合情合理 is a chengyu that reflects the Chinese cultural emphasis on balancing 情 (emotion) and 理 (reason). It's used to evaluate judgments and actions that are not only logically correct but also considerate of human feelings. Understanding this chengyu provides deeper insight into Chinese cultural values.