弁論・辯論|べんろんbenron[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
弁論弁論 is the most common and standard written form; beginners should use it when writing this word.
辯論辯論 is less common than 弁論 and uses an outdated kanji; it may appear as an alternative written form.
Definitions
- suru verb, transitive verb, no-adjectivediscussion; debate; argument
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 弁論する（べんろんする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 弁論します（べんろんします） |
| Negative (nai) | 弁論しない（べんろんしない） |
| polite (masen) | 弁論しません（べんろんしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 弁論せず・弁論せぬ（べんろんせず・べんろんせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 弁論した（べんろんした） |
| polite (mashita) | 弁論しました（べんろんしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 弁論しなかった（べんろんしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 弁論しませんでした（べんろんしませんでした） |
| Te form | 弁論して（べんろんして） |
| Potential | 弁論できる（べんろんできる） |
| Passive | 弁論される（べんろんされる） |
| Causative | 弁論させる（べんろんさせる） |
| Causative passive | 弁論させられる（べんろんさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 弁論すれば（べんろんすれば） |
| tara | 弁論したら（べんろんしたら） |
| Volitional | 弁論しよう（べんろんしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 弁論しましょう（べんろんしましょう） |
| Imperative | 弁論しろ（べんろんしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym論議ろんぎWrittenWritten word for repeated discussion of an issue, as in 「論議を呼ぶ」; unlike 「弁論」, it is not tied to public speaking or courtroom debate.
- Synonym議論ぎろんNeutralThe everyday word for discussion and argument, the most common of all; not restricted to formal settings, unlike 「弁論」.
- Synonym討論とうろんNeutralExchanging views and arguing over an issue, as in 「討論会」; 「弁論」 centers on addressing an audience or courtroom debate.
- Synonym討議とうぎWrittenFormal written word for discussing an agenda item at a meeting; stresses deliberation rather than the public arguing of 「弁論」.
- SynonymディスカッションNeutralLoanword for a discussion or discussion session, common in classrooms and business; no courtroom or public-speaking sense.
- Synonym論争ろんそうWrittenA controversy between opposing viewpoints; stresses the clash between the two sides rather than presenting arguments in public.
- Synonym論戦ろんせんWrittenAn intense battle of words, as in 「論戦を交わす」; more heated than 「弁論」.
- SynonymディベートNeutralLoanword for a formal, rule-based debate contest between affirmative and negative sides, like a school debate.
- Synonym審議しんぎWrittenFormal, official deliberation in a legislature, council or committee; the register is bureaucratic, unlike 「弁論」.
- Synonym対論たいろんWrittenA face-to-face debate between two parties; written in flavor and not often used.
- Synonym舌戦ぜっせんWrittenA war of words, as in the 「舌戦」 of an election campaign; stresses fierce verbal sparring.
- Synonym論じるろんじるNeutralVerb meaning to discuss or expound on a topic in an orderly, logical way; the focus is on laying out an argument rather than on the speech event.
- Synonym論ずるろんずるWrittenWritten variant of 「論じる」; stresses setting out one's views, with no restriction on the occasion.
- Synonym論弁ろんべんWrittenWritten word for argumentation and debate; rare today — say 「議論」 in everyday speech.
- Synonym争論そうろんWrittenWritten word for a quarrel or dispute; rare today — in formal contexts 「論争」 is preferred.
- Related評議ひょうぎWrittenCollective deliberation by a group, as in 「評議会」; the focus is on reaching a decision, not on debating before an audience.
- Related話し合いはなしあいNeutralCommon in speech: the parties talk things over to reach agreement, a cooperative exchange rather than a debate.
- Related談論だんろんWrittenElegant written word for talking things over; has a refined flavor and is seldom used today.
- Related談義だんぎNeutralA casual chat, or a long-winded lecture or sermon; carries a relaxed, informal feel unlike 「弁論」.
- Related議すぎすWrittenArchaic form of 「議する」 meaning to confer or consult; rarely used in modern Japanese.
- Related議するぎするWrittenWritten word meaning to confer or discuss, found mainly in meeting documents and minutes.
- Related熟議じゅくぎWrittenCareful, thorough deliberation; often a political term, with none of 「弁論」's public-speaking flavor.
- Antonym黙秘もくひWrittenAntonym: keeping silent, as in 「黙秘権」 — the opposite of speaking up and arguing one's case.
Use 「弁論」 for public speaking debates or courtroom proceedings, as in 「弁論大会」 and 「最終弁論」. For everyday discussion pick 「議論」; for head-to-head debate 「討論」 or 「ディベート」; for a controversy 「論争」; for official deliberation 「審議」; for silence 「黙秘」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
