reason
Definitions
A cause, explanation, or justification for something.
原因，理由。
The power of the mind to think logically and form judgments.
理性，理智，思考能力。
To think things through logically; to form conclusions by argument.
推理，推断；据理判断。
To persuade someone by logical argument (reason with someone).
劝说，以理服人（reason with someone）。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedFrom Latin ratiō, which meant both 'a reckoning/calculation' and 'reason.' English reason inherited both: a cause you can account for ('the reason why'), and the mind's power to calculate the truth ('the age of reason'). To reason is to work something out logically — a calculation of why.
Root rat_reckon still carries 13 more wordsWhy It Means This
Reason carries the Roman fusion of counting and thinking. Its noun spans a cause ('give me one good reason') and the rational faculty ('lost to reason'); its verb means to think logically ('she reasoned that...') or to persuade ('you can't reason with him'). All of it traces back to ratiō, where adding up figures and following an argument were the same skill.
Usage Guide
- 'the reason why' / 'the reason that' — both common; 'the reason is because' is widely considered redundant (prefer 'the reason is that').
- 'reason with someone' = try to persuade by logic.
- 'it stands to reason' = it's logical/obvious.
Example Sentences
- 1.
There's no reason to panic — everything is under control.
- 2.
He lost the ability to reason clearly under stress.
- 3.
It's pointless trying to reason with a toddler.
Synonym Comparison
- reason — cause or justification; broadest
- cause — what produces an effect (more mechanical)
- motive — the inner reason that drives an action
- grounds — formal basis for a decision (grounds for divorce)
- justification — a reason that makes something acceptable