论据 (lùnjù)

论据 refers to the evidence, data, or reasoning used to support a thesis or argument, and is a key term in academic writing and formal debate in Chinese.

Meanings

[noun] argument; grounds; evidence supporting a thesis

Example Sentences

这篇文章的论据充分，令人信服。 Zhè piān wénzhāng de lùnjù chōngfèn, lìngrén xìnfú. The arguments in this article are substantial and convincing.

他在辩论中提出了有力的论据。 Tā zài biànlùn zhōng tíchū le yǒulì de lùnjù. He put forward strong arguments in the debate.

没有充足的论据，很难支撑这个论点。 Méiyǒu chōngzú de lùnjù, hěn nán zhīchēng zhège lùndiǎn. Without sufficient evidence, it is hard to support this thesis.

作者用历史数据作为论据，证明了自己的观点。 Zuòzhě yòng lìshǐ shùjù zuòwéi lùnjù, zhèngmíng le zìjǐ de guāndiǎn. The author used historical data as grounds to prove his viewpoint.

这个理论的论据经不起仔细推敲。 Zhège lǐlùn de lùnjù jīng bù qǐ zǐxì tuīqiāo. The grounds for this theory do not stand up to careful scrutiny.

提出论点时，必须同时给出有力的论据。 Tíchū lùndiǎn shí, bìxū tóngshí gěichū yǒulì de lùnjù. When making a claim, you must also provide strong supporting arguments.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
充分的论据 (chōngfèn de lùnjù)	sufficient grounds/evidence
有力论据 (yǒulì lùnjù)	strong argument
提出论据 (tíchū lùnjù)	to put forward arguments
论据不足 (lùnjù bùzú)	insufficient grounds
支撑论据 (zhīchēng lùnjù)	supporting evidence

Usage Notes

In Chinese argumentation structure, 论点 (lùndiǎn, thesis/claim), 论据 (lùnjù, evidence/grounds), and 论证 (lùnzhèng, reasoning/demonstration) form a classic triad. 论据 is the supporting evidence that backs up a 论点. It can be factual data, examples, expert opinions, or logical reasoning.

Mastering this triad is essential for writing Chinese argumentative essays (议论文, yìlùn wén) at B2 level and above.

Memory Hook

论 (argument/theory) + 据 (basis/evidence): the basis on which an argument stands -- its supporting evidence.