理当

理當

lǐdāng

adverb #36,297

Meanings

1 should
2 ought to
3 by rights

Characters

reason, principle

Examples

父母养育之恩，理当回报。

Fùmǔ yǎngyù zhī ēn, lǐdāng huíbào.

Parents' kindness in raising us ought to be repaid.

你帮了我这么多，我理当请你吃饭。

Nǐ bāng le wǒ zhème duō, wǒ lǐdāng qǐng nǐ chī fàn.

You've helped me so much, I really should treat you to dinner.

Tips

register

More formal and slightly literary than 应该 (yīnggāi). Pairs well with 如此 — 理当如此 'as it should be'. In casual speech most speakers use 应该.

Stroke Order

理 lǐ

当 dāng