按理 (àn lǐ) — logically speaking

按理 (ànlǐ) / 按说 (ànshuō) + Clause (conclusion that clashes with the fact)

HSK 7–93.0

Pattern diagram

按理按说Clause

Rule structure

按理 (ànlǐ) and 按说 (ànshuō) are adverbs introducing a conclusion: "by reason, logically speaking". They are usually followed by what ought to be the case, which in fact differs from reality. 按说 (ànshuō) is more colloquial, 按理 (ànlǐ) slightly more neutral.

Rule structure

Examples

按理他早该到了，怎么还没来？

Ànlǐ tā zǎo gāi dào le, zěnme hái méi lái?

Logically speaking, he should have arrived long ago — why isn't he here yet?

Examples

按理他早该到了，怎么还没来？

Ànlǐ tā zǎo gāi dào le, zěnme hái méi lái?

Logically speaking, he should have arrived long ago — why isn't he here yet?

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Words from this rule

按

àn

According to

理

lǐ

Reason; to manage

说

shuō

To speak, to say, to tell

他

tā

早

zǎo

Early

该

gāi

Should; this

到

dào

To arrive, to reach (resultative complement after verbs)

了

Particle (completed action or change of state)

怎么

zěnme

How? in what way?

还

hái

Still, yet (adverb)

来

lái

To come

今天

jīn tiān

Today

Frequently asked questions

How do you say “logically speaking” in Chinese with 按理?

Use the structure: 按理 (ànlǐ) / 按说 (ànshuō) + Clause (conclusion that clashes with the fact). For example: 按理他早该到了，怎么还没来？ — “Logically speaking, he should have arrived long ago — why isn't he here yet?”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

按理他早该到了，怎么还没来？ — “Logically speaking, he should have arrived long ago — why isn't he here yet?”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9.

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More HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9 grammar rules

向来 — always previously

Subj. + 向来 (xiànglái) + Verb / Adj.

偏 — contrary to expectations

Subj. + 偏偏 (piānpiān) + Verb (undesirable coincidence)

无非 — nothing but

无非 (wúfēi) + Noun / Clause (dismissive)

何必 — why bother

何必 (hébì) + Verb Phrase (rhetorical, unnecessary)

不妨 vs 务必 — advice vs requirement

不妨 (bùfáng) + Verb Phrase (soft suggestion) / 务必 (wùbì) + Verb Phrase (insistent requirement)

照常 — as usual

Subj. + 照常 (zhàocháng) / 照例 (zhàolì) / 照样 (zhàoyàng) + Verb

碰巧 / 恰巧 — coincidence

Subj. + 碰巧 (pèngqiǎo) / 恰巧 (qiàqiǎo) + Verb Phrase

反倒 — on the contrary

Subj. + 反倒 (fǎndào) + Verb / Adj. (result opposite to expectation)