luóji: 逻辑 - Logic, Reason

• Keywords: logic in Chinese, luoji, luóji, Chinese for logic, 逻辑 meaning, what is luoji, Chinese reasoning, logical thinking in Chinese, 道理 vs 逻辑, shén luóji
• Summary: Discover the Chinese word for 'logic,' 逻辑 (luóji), a term that is both a direct loanword from English and a key to understanding modern Chinese reasoning. This comprehensive guide explores its precise meaning, its fascinating cultural context, and its practical use in everyday arguments, formal debates, and even internet slang. Learn how 逻辑 (luóji) differs from related concepts like `道理 (dàolǐ)` and master its use with over 10 practical example sentences.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): luóji
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: The principles of correct reasoning; a system or method of argument.
• In a Nutshell: 逻辑 (luóji) is the direct equivalent of the English word “logic.” It refers to the formal, structured process of thinking and arguing, where conclusions are drawn from premises in a sound, step-by-step way. Unlike many Chinese words with deep pictographic roots, 逻辑 (luóji) is a modern phonetic loanword, adopted to name a concept imported from Western philosophy and science.

• 逻 (luó): This character's primary function in this word is phonetic, representing the “lo-” sound from “logic.” On its own, it can mean “to patrol” (巡逻 xúnluó). The radical 辶 (chuò) means “to walk,” suggesting movement.
• 辑 (jí): This character's primary function is also phonetic, representing the “-gic” sound. Its original meaning is “to compile” or “to gather.” The radical is 车 (chē), meaning “cart/vehicle.” You can think of it as “gathering” and “compiling” thoughts or facts into a coherent argument.
• Combined Meaning: 逻辑 (luóji) is a transliteration—a word created to sound like a foreign word. The characters were chosen to approximate the sound of “logic.” This tells us that the concept of formal, systematic logic (in the Aristotelian sense) is not native to traditional Chinese thought but was adopted during China's period of modernization in the late 19th and 20th centuries.

While China has a rich and complex philosophical history, traditional Chinese reasoning did not develop a system of formal, abstract logic in the same way as Ancient Greece. Traditional thought often relied more on analogy, moral reasoning, historical precedent, and correlative thinking (like Yin-Yang and the Five Elements). For example, a Western argument might be a syllogism: 1. All humans need to drink water. 2. Zhang Wei is a human. 3. Therefore, Zhang Wei needs to drink water. This is pure 逻辑 (luóji). A traditional Chinese argument might be an analogy: 1. A good ruler governs a state like a good father manages a family. 2. A good father is benevolent and sets a moral example. 3. Therefore, a good ruler should be benevolent and set a moral example. This reasoning is more about finding a suitable parallel or `道理 (dàolǐ)` than about abstract rules. The adoption of 逻辑 (luóji) into the Chinese language represents a major intellectual shift. It was a necessary tool for China to engage with Western science, technology, and philosophy. Today, 逻辑 (luóji) is a fundamental concept in Chinese education, business, and public discourse, but the traditional preference for practical, moral, and relational reasoning still coexists and influences how people argue and persuade.

逻辑 (luóji) is used in a wide range of contexts, from casual conversations to academic papers.

• In Daily Conversation: People often use it to critique someone's reasoning or to defend their own. Saying someone “has no logic” (没有逻辑 méiyǒu luóji) is a common, and rather direct, criticism.
• In Business and Academia: Clear 逻辑 (luóji) is highly valued in reports, presentations, and academic writing. A well-structured argument is described as having “clear logic” (逻辑清晰 luóji qīngxī).
• On Social Media: The term is frequently used in online debates. A popular sarcastic slang term has also emerged: 神逻辑 (shén luóji), literally “god logic,” which is used to mock an argument that is completely absurd and defies all common sense.

• Example 1:
  • 他说话很有逻辑，让人信服。
  • Pinyin: Tā shuōhuà hěn yǒu luóji, ràng rén xìnfú.
  • English: He speaks very logically, which is very convincing.
  • Analysis: A common pattern, 有逻辑 (yǒu luóji), literally “to have logic,” is used to mean “is logical.” This is a compliment on someone's clear thinking.
• Example 2:
  • 你的这个解释不符合逻辑。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ de zhège jiěshì bù fúhé luóji.
  • English: This explanation of yours is not logical.
  • Analysis: 符合逻辑 (fúhé luóji) means “to conform to logic.” This is a standard and slightly formal way to point out a logical flaw.
• Example 3:
  • 逻辑思维能力对学好数学很重要。
  • Pinyin: Luóji sīwéi nénglì duì xuéhǎo shùxué hěn zhòngyào.
  • English: Logical thinking ability is very important for learning math well.
  • Analysis: Here, 逻辑 (luóji) acts as an adjective modifying 思维 (sīwéi), “thinking.” 逻辑思维 (luóji sīwéi) is a set phrase for “logical thinking.”
• Example 4:
  • 你能不能按逻辑顺序把事情说清楚？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ néng bu néng àn luóji shùnxù bǎ shìqing shuō qīngchu?
  • English: Can you explain the matter clearly in logical order?
  • Analysis: 逻辑顺序 (luóji shùnxù) means “logical order/sequence.” This shows how 逻辑 can be used to describe structure and organization.
• Example 5:
  • 我完全跟不上他的逻辑。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ wánquán gēn bu shàng tā de luóji.
  • English: I can't follow his logic at all.
  • Analysis: This is a common way to express that someone's line of reasoning is confusing or convoluted.
• Example 6:
  • 这篇文章逻辑混乱，观点也不明确。
  • Pinyin: Zhè piān wénzhāng luóji hùnluàn, guāndiǎn yě bù míngquè.
  • English: The logic of this article is chaotic, and its viewpoint is unclear.
  • Analysis: 逻辑混乱 (luóji hùnluàn) is a strong criticism, meaning the reasoning is a complete mess.
• Example 7:
  • 你的逻辑在哪里？先花钱再存钱怎么可能存得下？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ de luóji zài nǎlǐ? Xiān huā qián zài cún qián zěnme kěnéng cún de xià?
  • English: Where is your logic? How could you possibly save money by spending it first?
  • Analysis: A rhetorical question used to challenge someone's flawed reasoning in a direct, almost confrontational way.
• Example 8:
  • 从逻辑上讲，他的推理是正确的。
  • Pinyin: Cóng luóji shàng jiǎng, tā de tuīlǐ shì zhèngquè de.
  • English: Logically speaking, his reasoning is correct.
  • Analysis: The phrase 从逻辑上讲 (cóng luóji shàng jiǎng) is a useful way to frame a statement, similar to “Logically speaking…” in English.
• Example 9:
  • 他想先买车再考驾照，这是什么神逻辑？
  • Pinyin: Tā xiǎng xiān mǎi chē zài kǎo jiàzhào, zhè shì shénme shén luóji?
  • English: He wants to buy a car before getting his driver's license, what kind of absurd logic is that?
  • Analysis: This showcases the modern internet slang 神逻辑 (shén luóji), used to mock reasoning that is hilariously backward or nonsensical.
• Example 10:
  • 逻辑学是哲学的一个重要分支。
  • Pinyin: Luójixué shì zhéxué de yī gè zhòngyào fēnzī.
  • English: Logic (as a field of study) is an important branch of philosophy.
  • Analysis: The character 学 (xué) is added to create 逻辑学 (luójixué), the formal academic subject of Logic.

The most common mistake for English speakers is confusing 逻辑 (luóji) with 道理 (dàolǐ).

• 逻辑 (luóji): Refers to the formal, structural validity of an argument. It's objective, analytical, and unemotional. It's about whether A correctly leads to B.
• 道理 (dàolǐ): Refers to “reason,” “principle,” or “what makes sense” in a broader, often social or moral, context. It's about whether something is justifiable or sensible in the real world.

Incorrect vs. Correct Usage:

• Scenario: A child refuses to share toys.
  • Incorrect: 你不分享玩具，这没有逻辑。(Nǐ bù fēnxiǎng wánjù, zhè méiyǒu luóji.)
  • Why it's wrong: The issue isn't a flaw in formal logic, but a violation of a social principle.
  • Correct: 你不分享玩具，这样不讲道理。(Nǐ bù fēnxiǎng wánjù, zhèyàng bù jiǎng dàolǐ.) - “You don't share your toys, this is unreasonable.”
• Scenario: Someone argues that because the sky is blue and grass is blue, the sky is grass.
  • Incorrect: 你这个说法没有道理。(Nǐ zhège shuōfǎ méiyǒu dàolǐ.)
  • Why it's wrong: While it's also unreasonable, the core problem is a failure in the structure of the argument. It's a logical fallacy.
  • Correct: 你这个说法没有逻辑。(Nǐ zhège shuōfǎ méiyǒu luóji.) - “This statement of yours has no logic.”

Another common mistake is trying to use 逻辑 as a direct adjective like in English.

• Incorrect: 他很逻辑。(Tā hěn luóji.)
• Correct: 他很有逻辑。(Tā hěn yǒu luóji.) - “He is very logical” (lit. “He very much has logic”).
• Correct: 他的话符合逻辑。(Tā de huà fúhé luóji.) - “What he says is logical” (lit. “His words conform to logic”).

• 道理 (dàolǐ) - “Reason,” “principle,” or “sense.” Broader and more social/moral than 逻辑.
• 思维 (sīwéi) - “Thinking” or “thought.” 逻辑 is a specific mode of 思维.
• 推理 (tuīlǐ) - “Inference” or “deduction.” This is the active process of using 逻辑.
• 分析 (fēnxī) - “To analyze.” Analysis is a key step in forming a logical argument.
• 理性 (lǐxìng) - “Rationality” or “reason.” A broader quality of the mind, of which 逻辑 is a key component.
• 条理 (tiáolǐ) - “Orderliness” or “coherence,” especially in speech or writing. Something with good 条理 is usually logical.
• 辩论 (biànlùn) - “To debate.” A formal debate is an exercise in using 逻辑 to persuade.
• 因果 (yīnguǒ) - “Cause and effect.” A fundamental relationship examined by logic.