Both 原因 (yuányīn) and 理由 (lǐyóu) can be translated into English as "reason," but they have slightly different meanings and contexts in which they are used.
原因 (yuányīn) emphasizes the "cause" or "source" of a particular situation or event. It refers to a specific, objective factor or condition that directly leads to a particular outcome. For example, if someone asks, “交通堵塞的原因是什么?”,the answer might be:“原因是高速公路上发生了一起事故。”(The reason for the traffic jam is that there was an accident on the highway.)
理由 (lǐyóu): This word emphasizes the "justification" or "rationale" for a particular action or decision. It refers to the subjective, logical or moral grounds or considerations that support a particular argument, decision, or course of action. For example, if someone asks, “取消会议的理由是什么?”,the answer might be:“理由是由于很多参会人员因为日程冲突无法到场。”(The reason for canceling the meeting is that many attendees were not able to come due to a scheduling conflict.)
In short, 原因 is used to explain the cause or source of something that has already happened, while 理由 is used to provide a logical or moral justification for a decision or action that is going to happen or has already been made.
(more)原因 (yuányīn) emphasizes the "cause" or "source" of a particular situation or event. It refers to a specific, objective factor or condition that directly leads to a particular outcome. For example, if someone asks, “交通堵塞的原因是什么?”,the answer might be:“原因是高速公路上发生了一起事故。”(The reason for the traffic jam is that there was an accident on the highway.)
理由 (lǐyóu): This word emphasizes the "justification" or "rationale" for a particular action or decision. It refers to the subjective, logical or moral grounds or considerations that support a particular argument, decision, or course of action. For example, if someone asks, “取消会议的理由是什么?”,the answer might be:“理由是由于很多参会人员因为日程冲突无法到场。”(The reason for canceling the meeting is that many attendees were not able to come due to a scheduling conflict.)
In short, 原因 is used to explain the cause or source of something that has already happened, while 理由 is used to provide a logical or moral justification for a decision or action that is going to happen or has already been made.