有道理。

You can use it as a standalone reaction. If a friend suggests taking the subway to avoid traffic, just say 有道理. You can also add modifiers to change the strength. Use 很有道理 (hěn yǒu dàolǐ) for 'that makes a lot of sense.' If you want to be extra supportive, try 非常有道理 (fēicháng yǒu dàolǐ). It is incredibly flexible and fits into almost any conversation flow.

Use it whenever someone offers a suggestion or an explanation. It works great in meetings when a colleague proposes a new strategy. It is perfect for casual debates about where to eat dinner. Use it when someone explains why they were late. It shows you are a good listener. Even in text messages, it is a quick way to end a discussion on a positive note.

Do not use it if you actually disagree. It is not a polite way to say 'no.' Also, avoid using it for purely emotional statements. If a friend says 'I am so sad,' replying with 有道理 sounds robotic and cold. It is for logic, not feelings. Don't use it for objective facts like 'The sun is hot.' You'd just look confused.

In Chinese culture, 'Dao' (the same character in 道理) refers to the 'Way' or the natural order of things. When you say someone has 道理, you are saying they are aligned with common sense or universal truths. It is a very respectful way to agree. It values the 'reason' behind the action rather than just the action itself. It reflects a society that prizes logical harmony.

You will often hear 你说得有道理 (nǐ shuō de yǒu dàolǐ). This means 'What you say makes sense.' It focuses the praise on the speaker. In very casual slang, some people might just say 理儿是这么个理儿 (lǐr shì zhème gè lǐr). This is a more colloquial, northern way of saying 'The logic is indeed this logic.' Stick to the basic version first though!