'歪理' literally combines 歪 (wāi), meaning 'crooked', 'askew', or 'distorted', and 理 (lǐ), meaning 'reason', 'principle', or 'logic'. Together, they form a noun describing reasoning that appears logical on the surface but is actually flawed, self-serving, dishonest, or illogical—like twisting facts to justify an unreasonable position. It carries a strong negative connotation and is often used in criticism or satire.

This term frequently appears in everyday arguments, online debates, or humorous commentary where someone defends an absurd claim with seemingly structured but fundamentally unsound logic. It’s not neutral jargon—it implies intentional distortion rather than mere misunderstanding. While related to fallacies in Western logic, 歪理 emphasizes moral or rhetorical dishonesty more than formal structure. Native speakers use it colloquially and dismissively, often with irony or exasperation, especially when confronting stubborn or manipulative reasoning.