按理说

按理說

ànlǐshuō

phrase #24,931

Meanings

1 logically speaking; in theory
2 it stands to reason that

Characters

to say; speaking

Literally 'according to reason, speaking...' - implies reality may differ from what logic dictates.

Examples

HSK 3

按理说他应该早就到了。

Ànlǐshuō tā yīnggāi zǎojiù dào le.

Logically speaking, he should have arrived long ago.

HSK 5

按理说这个方案没有问题。

Ànlǐshuō zhège fāng'àn méiyǒu wèntí.

In theory, there shouldn't be any problem with this plan.

Tips

grammar

按理说 usually sets up a contrast: 'in theory X, but in reality Y.' It signals that what follows is the expected or reasonable outcome, with an implied 'but...' Similar to 照理说.

Stroke Order

按 àn

理 lǐ

说 shuō