論考・論攷|ろんこうronkou[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
論考論考 is the most common written form and the recommended choice for beginners; it is the form you are most likely to encounter.
論攷論攷 is a less common written variant of 論考. You may encounter it, but beginners should choose 論考 instead.
Definitions
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbstudy (of); discussion; discourse; inquiry; research article; academic paper
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 論考する（ろんこうする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 論考します（ろんこうします） |
| Negative (nai) | 論考しない（ろんこうしない） |
| polite (masen) | 論考しません（ろんこうしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 論考せず・論考せぬ（ろんこうせず・ろんこうせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 論考した（ろんこうした） |
| polite (mashita) | 論考しました（ろんこうしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 論考しなかった（ろんこうしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 論考しませんでした（ろんこうしませんでした） |
| Te form | 論考して（ろんこうして） |
| Potential | 論考できる（ろんこうできる） |
| Passive | 論考される（ろんこうされる） |
| Causative | 論考させる（ろんこうさせる） |
| Causative passive | 論考させられる（ろんこうさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 論考すれば（ろんこうすれば） |
| tara | 論考したら（ろんこうしたら） |
| Volitional | 論考しよう（ろんこうしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 論考しましょう（ろんこうしましょう） |
| Imperative | 論考しろ（ろんこうしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym論文ろんぶんWrittenThe standard word for an academic paper and the most common choice. 「論考」 is more literary and can mean the discussion and examination itself, not just the text.
- Synonym論説ろんせつWrittenA written piece whose point is to set out the author's own position, such as a newspaper editorial (「論説」); 「論考」 centres on discussing and examining a topic.
- Synonym小論しょうろんWrittenA short paper or essay, in formal prose; also used humbly of one's own paper. 「論考」 implies nothing about length.
- Synonym考察こうさつWrittenFormal: careful examination and analysis — an action, and the standard name of a section in papers (「考察」). 「論考」 is the written study itself.
- Synonym試論しろんWrittenA tentative, trial discussion — a first attempt, in formal prose. 「論考」 suggests a fuller, more finished study.
- Synonym論ろんNeutralAn argument, theory or line of reasoning; seldom used alone, mostly as a suffix like 「文化論」. 「論考」 is a full written study.
- Related評論ひょうろんWrittenCriticism or critique: articles evaluating works or current affairs and judging their merits. 「論考」 presents research rather than passing judgement.
- RelatedエッセイNeutralA loanword for essays and personal prose — lighter and more subjective than 「論考」, a formal scholarly discussion.
- RelatedレポートNeutralA loanword for reports and school assignments; also survey and news reports. For academic papers, 「論文」 or 「論考」 fits better.
- Related検討けんとうNeutralExamining something from many angles, as in 「原因を検討する」 — an act of study, not a written work like 「論考」.
- Related考究こうきゅうWrittenFormal and rare: deep scholarly investigation and verification. 「論考」 names the discussion itself or the resulting text.
For an academic paper say 「論文」; for a school assignment, 「レポート」. 「論考」 is a formal, written word for a study discussing and examining a topic, as in 「〜に関する論考」. Use 「評論」 for critiques of works or current affairs, 「エッセイ」 for essays, 「論説」 for editorials, and 「検討」 or 「考察」 for the act of examining, not the text.
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
