Japanese word

断言

Pronunciation

Romajidangen

Meaning

  • nounassertion

Example

彼の断言は皆を驚かせました。kare no dan gen wa mina o odoro ka se ma shi ta

His assertion surprised everyone.

Illustration for 断言 (assertion)

More examples

その主張は単なる断言ではなく、確かな証拠に基づいています。so no shu chō wa tan na ru dan gen de wa na ku tashi ka na shō ko ni moto zu i te i ma su

That claim is not a mere assertion; it is based on solid evidence.

Core concept

It presents a speaker's words as settled and leaves little room for doubt.

Common phrases

  • 断言を避けるdan gen o sa ke ru

    avoid making an assertion

  • 断言の根拠dan gen no kon kyo

    basis for an assertion

  • 断言を撤回するdan gen o tek kai su ru

    retract an assertion

Similar words

明言meigen: A clear statement that leaves no uncertainty about the speaker's position.
断定dantei: A firm judgment stated as certain, often before all doubt is removed.
主張shuchō: A position or claim put forward for others to accept or consider.
言明genmei: A formal or explicit statement of a fact, position, or intention.

Definition in Japanese

ある事柄を確かなこととして、疑いの余地なく言い切ること。a ru koto gara o tashi ka na ko to to shi te utaga i no yo chi na ku i i ki ru ko to

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese noun 断言 (dangen, "assertion") combines 断 (dan, "cut off") and 言 (gen, "say"), forming the sense of stating something decisively.

Usage tips

  • The Japanese noun 断言 (dangen) often sounds stronger than a neutral statement because it presents the speaker's words as settled rather than tentative.

Other meanings

  • affirmationnoun
  • declarationnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 断言するdangensuruassertverb

Word lists with this word