Chinese

Noun

原理

1. principle; tenet

   馬克思主義基本原理 [MSC, trad.]

   马克思主义基本原理 [MSC, simp.]

   mǎkèsīzhǔyì jīběn yuánlǐ [Pinyin]

   the basic principles of Marxism

Derived terms

Japanese

Etymology

From 原 ‎(gen, “principle”) +‎ 理 ‎(ri, “theory”).

Noun

原理 ‎(hiragana げんり, romaji genri)

1. A fundamental truth that bases on.
2. An eternal law that is common over lots of fact.
3. (philosophy) A basic fact which explains why something exist.
4. (physics) A basic scientific law which explains how a thing works, especially, that is quite primitive and have been found at very long ago; a principle.

   アルキメデスの原理 (げんり)

   arukimedesu no genri

   Archimedes' principle

Usage notes

• (physics): Law is often used as a translation word for 法則 (ほうそく) ‎(hōsoku), and effect for 効果 (こうか) ‎(kōka).

Synonyms

• (a fundamental truth): 真理 (しんり) ‎(shinri)
• (an eternal law): 法則 (ほうそく) ‎(hōsoku)
• (philosophy): 本質 (ほんしつ) ‎(honshitsu)

Coordinate terms

• (physics): 法則 (ほうそく) ‎(hōsoku), 効果 (こうか) ‎(kōka)

Compounds

• 原理主義 (げんりしゅぎ) ‎(genrishugi)