Chinese word

辩论

Pronunciation

Pinyinbiàn lùn

Meaning

  • verbdebate

Example

我们在课堂上辩论了这个问题。wǒ men zài kè táng shàng biàn lùn le zhè ge wèn tí

We debated this issue in class.

Illustration for 辩论 (debate)

More examples

他们在会议上就这个问题辩论，提出了很多理由。tā men zài huì yì shàng jiù zhè ge wèn tí biàn lùn tí chū le hěn duō lǐ yóu

They debated this issue at the meeting and gave many reasons.

Core concept

A structured spoken exchange in which opposing views are tested with reasons and evidence.

Common phrases

  • 就这个问题辩论jiù zhè ge wèn tí biàn lùn

    debate this issue

  • 与对方辩论yǔ duì fāng biàn lùn

    debate with the other side

  • 辩论观点biàn lùn guān diǎn

    debate a viewpoint

Similar words

讨论tǎo lùn: To talk through an issue by sharing opinions and working toward an answer.
争辩zhēng biàn: To argue in words to protect a personal view and answer opposing claims.
争论zhēng lùn: To have a heated argument about the truth or validity of opposing opinions.
商量shāng liáng: To consult with others and agree on how to handle a matter.

Definition in Chinese

通过提出理由、事实或例证支持或反对某一观点，并与对方互相驳斥以证明或否定该观点的口头论争，也可指正式的辩论活动。tōng guò tí chū lǐ yóu shì shí huò lì zhèng zhī chí huò fǎn duì mǒu yì guān diǎn bìng yǔ duì fāng hù xiāng bó chì yǐ zhèng míng huò fǒu dìng gāi guān diǎn de kǒu tóu lùn zhēng yě kě zhǐ zhèng shì de biàn lùn huó dòng

Word origin

辩论 (biànlùn, "debate") combines 辩 (biàn, "argue or refute") with 论 (lùn, "discuss or reason"), so its form points to claims being examined from opposing sides.

Usage tips

  • English speakers often use argue for any disagreement, but this verb usually presents the disagreement as an organized exchange of reasons, giving it a more formal tone than a casual quarrel.

Other meanings

  • discussionnoun
  • argueverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 辩论稿biàn lùn gǎodebate scriptnoun
  • 辩论赛biàn lùn sàidebate competitionnoun

Word lists with this word