辩论 (biànlùn) — to debate; a debate

辩论 (biànlùn)

辩论 refers to formal or structured argumentation between opposing sides, and as a noun, it denotes a debate or controversy, implying adversarial intellectual exchange.

Meanings

1. [verb] to debate; to argue opposing positions formally
2. [noun] a debate; a controversy; a formal exchange of opposing arguments

Example Sentences

两位候选人在电视上就经济政策展开了激烈辩论。 Liǎng wèi hòuxuǎn rén zài diànshì shàng jiù jīngjì zhèngcè zhǎnkāile jīliè biànlùn. The two candidates engaged in a fierce debate on economic policy on television.

哲学史上关于自由意志的辩论延续了数百年。 Zhéxuéshǐ shàng guānyú zìyóu yìzhì de biànlùn yánxùle shù bǎi nián. The debate on free will in the history of philosophy has continued for hundreds of years.

大学辩论队在全国比赛中获得了冠军。 Dàxué biànlùn duì zài quánguó bǐsài zhōng huòdéle guànjūn. The university debate team won the championship at the national competition.

这一问题在学术界引发了广泛的辩论。 Zhè yī wèntí zài xuéshùjiè yǐnfāle guǎngfàn de biànlùn. This issue sparked widespread debate in academic circles.

双方就条约细节进行了长达数小时的辩论。 Shuāngfāng jiù tiáoyuē xìjié jìnxíngle cháng dá shù xiǎoshí de biànlùn. Both sides engaged in a debate lasting several hours over the details of the treaty.

他善于在辩论中把握对方论点的漏洞。 Tā shànyú zài biànlùn zhōng bǎwò duìfāng lùndiǎn de lòudòng. He is skilled at identifying the flaws in the opposing side's arguments during a debate.

Collocations

Usage Notes

辩论 specifically implies two sides arguing against each other, which distinguishes it from 讨论 (tǎolùn, general discussion) and 探讨 (tàntǎo, exploratory inquiry). It carries the connotation of competition or adversarial exchange, whether in competitive debate, political discourse, or philosophical controversy.

辩论赛 (debate competition) is the word used for competitive debate in schools and universities. 展开辩论 (to open up a debate) and 引发辩论 (to spark a debate) are common verbal phrases in formal writing.

Memory Hook

BIAN (辩, to argue/distinguish) + LUN (论, to discuss/theorize) = to argue and theorize from opposing sides.