抗弁・抗辯|こうべんkouben[1]atamadaka (head-high)
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Which spelling to use
抗弁抗弁 is written with kanji only and is the most common form; learners should use it by default for protest, refutation, or pleading.
抗辯抗辯 is a less common variant written with outdated kanji. You may encounter it as an alternative written form, but learners should normally choose 抗弁.
Definitions
- noun, suru verb, intransitive verbprotest; refutation; pleading
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 抗弁する（こうべんする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 抗弁します（こうべんします） |
| Negative (nai) | 抗弁しない（こうべんしない） |
| polite (masen) | 抗弁しません（こうべんしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 抗弁せず・抗弁せぬ（こうべんせず・こうべんせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 抗弁した（こうべんした） |
| polite (mashita) | 抗弁しました（こうべんしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 抗弁しなかった（こうべんしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 抗弁しませんでした（こうべんしませんでした） |
| Te form | 抗弁して（こうべんして） |
| Potential | 抗弁できる（こうべんできる） |
| Passive | 抗弁される（こうべんされる） |
| Causative | 抗弁させる（こうべんさせる） |
| Causative passive | 抗弁させられる（こうべんさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 抗弁すれば（こうべんすれば） |
| tara | 抗弁したら（こうべんしたら） |
| Volitional | 抗弁しよう（こうべんしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 抗弁しましょう（こうべんしましょう） |
| Imperative | 抗弁しろ（こうべんしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym反論はんろんNeutralThe most general word for an opposing view to someone's opinion. 「抗弁」 is more written in flavor and usually means defending yourself, especially a legal defense.
- Synonym異議いぎNeutralAn opposing view, often raised at meetings or in court, as in 「異議あり」. 「抗弁」 means answering with your own reasons.
- Synonym抗議こうぎNeutralObjecting to improper words or actions and showing displeasure. 「抗弁」 stresses stating reasons to defend yourself.
- Synonym反駁はんばくWrittenWritten/formal prose. Means arguing back against another person's criticism or statements, with an aggressive edge; 「抗弁」 focuses on giving reasons to defend yourself.
- Synonym弁駁べんばくWrittenWritten/formal prose: pointing out the errors in what the other side says and refuting them; rare. 「抗弁」 leans toward defending one's own side.
- Synonym論駁ろんばくWrittenWritten/formal prose: arguing that the other party is wrong or improper and refuting them with reasons; 「抗弁」 stresses countering with your own reasons.
- Synonym駁論ばくろんWrittenWritten/formal prose: refuting another's claim by giving reasons; also a refutation essay. Rare — in daily speech say 「反論」.
- Related主張しゅちょうNeutralPutting forward and holding to your own view, not necessarily against anyone. 「抗弁」 rebuts and defends against what the other party says.
- Related抗告こうこくFormalFormal legal term: appealing a ruling or order other than a judgment to a higher court. 「抗弁」 is a rebuttal of the other side's claim within a trial.
- Related反対はんたいNeutralThe most general word: disagreeing with an opinion or plan. 「抗弁」 means countering the other party's statement by laying out reasons.
- Related抵抗ていこうNeutralResisting outside force or power, mainly through action; also mental reluctance. 「抗弁」 centers on verbal counterargument.
- Related物言いものいいNeutralManner of speaking; also raising an objection, especially in sumo against the referee's call. 「抗弁」 is a written, legal-flavored word.
- RelatedプロテストNeutralLoanword for publicly opposing a policy or social issue. 「抗弁」 is about stating reasons in response to what the other party has said.
- Related物申すものもうすNeutralA verb: daring to speak up with an opinion or objection, as in 「上司に物申す」. Unlike 「抗弁」, it does not lay out reasons in your defense.
- Related抗言こうげんWrittenWritten/formal prose: talking back because you judge the other's words or actions improper; rare today. 「抗弁」 also specifically covers legal pleading.
- Related不服申立てふふくもうしたてFormalFormal legal term: objecting to a decision of an administrative organ or court and asking for review. 「抗弁」 is a rebuttal of the other party's claim.
- Related異見いけんWrittenWritten/formal prose: a view that differs from others', with the focus on the opinion itself. 「抗弁」 is a rebuttal aimed at the other party's claim.
- Related抗するこうするWrittenWritten/formal: a verb meaning to resist or defy, as in 「時流に抗する」; not limited to words. 「抗弁」 refers only to arguing back verbally.
- Antonym自白じはくFormalFormal: confessing one's crime or secret; in a trial, also admitting facts alleged against you — the opposite of 「抗弁」, which counters with new grounds.
- Antonym認罪WrittenWritten/formal prose: admitting one's own crime, versus 「抗弁」 defending one's side. Japanese normally says 「自白」 or 「罪を認める」.
For a general rebuttal, pick 「反論」. Use 「抗弁」 when defending yourself by stating grounds — especially a legal defense, as in 「抗弁権」. To protest improper conduct, say 「抗議」; to raise an objection at a meeting or in court, 「異議」. The written refutation words (「反駁」「弁駁」「論駁」「駁論」) attack the other's errors, while 「抗弁」 pleads your own case. The antonym is 「自白」, confessing or admitting the facts alleged.
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
