条理 (tiáolǐ) literally combines 条 (tiáo), meaning 'strip' or 'item', and 理 (lǐ), meaning 'reason' or 'principle'. Together, they convey the idea of things being arranged in a clear, logical, step-by-step order — like items lined up neatly with an underlying rationale. It emphasizes coherence, structure, and systematic thinking rather than mere neatness.

This noun is commonly used to describe well-organized speech, writing, plans, or daily habits — for example, a presentation with clear progression or a study schedule that flows logically from one task to the next. It often appears in evaluative contexts (e.g., praising someone’s 条理) or in advice about improving clarity and efficiency. While it can describe physical order, its core sense is cognitive or procedural: the internal logic that makes something easy to follow and understand.