按理说

按理說

ànlǐshuō

phrase HSK 7-9 #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

按理说他应该早就到了。

Ànlǐshuō tā yīnggāi zǎojiù dào le.

Logically speaking, he should have arrived long ago.

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