理
lǐ
texture
grain (of wood); inner essence; intrinsic order; reason; logic; truth; science; natural science (esp. physics); to manage; to pay attention to; to run (affairs); to handle; to put in order; to tidy up
jade (王/玉) + sound lǐ (里) = the grain, order, and logic within things
Jade (玉) has natural grain lines running through it — those patterns are the visible expression of inner order. 里 mainly gives the sound lǐ; the jade radical anchors the meaning of inherent structure and essence.
这块木头的纹理很美。
zhè kuài mù tou de wén lǐ hěn měi。
the grain of this piece of wood is very beautiful.
他不理我，一直看着窗外。
tā bù lǐ wǒ，yī zhí kàn zhe chuāng wài。
he paid no attention to me and kept looking out the window.
Words with 理
物理
wù lǐ
physics
物理性质
wù lǐ xìng zhì
physical property
教理
jiào lǐ
doctrine (religion)
信息管理
xìn xī guǎn lǐ
information management
卫理公会
wèi lǐ gōng huì
Methodists
心安理得
xīn ān lǐ dé
to have a clear conscience
物业管理
wù yè guǎn lǐ
property management
理工
lǐ gōng
science and engineering as academic subjects
心理作用
xīn lǐ zuò yòng
a perception that doesn't reflect reality
哲理
zhé lǐ
philosophic theory
理应
lǐ yīng
should; ought to
定理
dìng lǐ
theorem