国論|こくろんkokuron[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounpublic opinion

• Synonym世論よろんNeutralThe everyday word for public opinion, as in 「世論調査」; by far the most common of these. 「国論」 is narrower, for the direction of debate across the whole nation.
• Synonym與論WrittenOld-style written form of 「輿論」/「世論」 meaning public opinion; virtually unused today. Unlike 「国論」, it carries no sense of a nationwide debate.
• Synonym与論WrittenNew-style written form of 「與論」, synonymous with 「世論」; rare today — write 「世論」 instead.
• Related公論こうろんWrittenWritten word for fair, open public debate, as in 「万機公論に決すべし」; it stresses impartiality, while 「国論」 points to the direction of national opinion.
• Related民心みんしんWrittenWritten word for the people's feelings or allegiance, as in 「民心が離れる」; it is about sentiment, while 「国論」 is about debate and opinions.
• Related民意みんいWrittenWritten word for the will of the people, as in 「民意を問う」「民意を反映する」; not limited to elections. 「国論」 centers on nationwide debate.
• Related人民の声NeutralDescriptive phrase for the voice of the people, not a fixed term; use it to explain the idea, not as set vocabulary like 「国論」.

Use 「国論」 for the direction of debate across the whole nation, as in 「国論を二分する」「国論の統一」. For public opinion in general say 「世論」, and for the people's will 「民意」. The others are written-style, old spellings, or a plain descriptive phrase.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 国民こくみん一般いっぱんで行おこなわれる議論ぎろんや意見いけん。世論よろん。