論文|ろんぶんronbun[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounthesis; essay; treatise; paper; article
   彼かれはその問題もんだいについて論文ろんぶんを書かいた。↗

   He wrote a paper on the subject.

• Synonym論考ろんこうWrittenWritten/formal word for scholarly discussion and examination, or the text of it; academic in flavor and close to 「論文」.
• SynonymペーパーNeutralLoanword for paper (sheets); in academic circles also means a 「論文」, as in 「ペーパーを書く」; colloquial.
• Synonym論説ろんせつWrittenWritten/formal word for argumentative writing that sets out one's position, especially newspaper editorials; mostly a journalism term.
• SynonymエッセイNeutralLoanword for personal essays and prose; can also mean a short paper. Centers on personal views and is less rigorous than a 「論文」.
• Synonym論ろんNeutralDiscourse or theory, mostly used as a suffix, as in 「文明論」 and 「進化論」; rarely used on its own.
• RelatedレポートNeutralLoanword for reports and student assignments; generally shorter than a 「論文」 and with looser requirements.
• RelatedエッセイNeutralLoanword for personal essays and prose; can also mean a short paper. Centers on personal views and is less rigorous than a 「論文」.
• Related記事きじNeutralArticle or news story in a newspaper or magazine; can also mean a piece in a publication; written mainly for the general public.
• Related報告書ほうこくしょNeutralA document reporting results, as in 「調査報告書」; the point is to report, not necessarily to argue a case.
• Related評論ひょうろんNeutralCritical commentary such as 「文芸評論」; the focus is evaluating works and phenomena.
• Related調査報告ちょうさほうこくNeutralA report of survey results, with data, findings and conclusions; the point is to report the investigation.

Use 「論文」 for a paper presenting academic research results. For a class assignment say 「レポート」, for a personal essay 「エッセイ」, for criticism 「評論」, for an argumentative piece 「論説」 (a newspaper editorial is 「社説」), and for a report of results 「報告書」.

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

1. 研究けんきゅう成果せいかなどをまとめた文章ぶんしょう。論考ろんこう。論攷ろんこう。
2. ある事物じぶつについて筋道すじみちを立たてて意見いけんを述のべた文章ぶんしょう。論説文ろんせつぶん。