Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
辩 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
biànto disputeHSK 7, n, 16 strokes, radical 辛, rank #4715, Hard
biànto debateHSK 7, n, 16 strokes, radical 辛, rank #4715, Hard
biànto argueHSK 7, n, 16 strokes, radical 辛, rank #4715, Hard
biànto discussHSK 7, n, 16 strokes, radical 辛, rank #4715, Hard
biàn(bian4) T4
  1. 1to dispute
  2. 2to debate
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

(辯)biàn(bian4)

The character 辩 (biàn) refers to the act of disputing, debating, or arguing. It is commonly used in contexts involving discussions where differing opinions are expressed, such as in formal debates or academic arguments. The nuance of this character suggests a reasoned, articulate exchange rather than a simple disagreement.

Strokes16RadicalFrequency#4715DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, formal debates and discussions are often held in educational settings, reflecting the importance placed on reasoned argumentation and rhetoric. The character 辩 embodies this cultural emphasis on articulate discourse.

Memory Tip

Imagine two people at a debate, each holding a '辩' (biàn) card that represents their arguments. The left side of the character shows a mouth (口), symbolizing speaking, while the right side suggests a 'dispute' or 'discussion' with its components. Visualize them passionately discussing to remember the meaning.

Meanings of 辩

biàn(bian4)
1to dispute
2to debate
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 辩

Simplified
Traditional
16Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#4715Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 辩

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 辩

Quick Contrast

辩 (biàn) vs 争 (zhēng) — choose 辩 for a reasoned debate, while 争 emphasizes conflict or contention.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine two people at a debate, each holding a '辩' (biàn) card that represents their arguments. The left side of the character shows a mouth (口), symbolizing speaking, while the right side suggests a 'dispute' or 'discussion' with its components. Visualize them passionately discussing to remember the meaning.

Usage Notes

Be mindful that 辩 is often used in formal settings rather than casual conversations. Common collocations include 辩论 (biànlùn, debate) and 辩解 (biànjiě, to argue/explain). Avoid using it in contexts where a simple disagreement is indicated, as it implies a more structured discussion.

HSK Study Tips

Although 辩 is not officially part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your comprehension of discussions in advanced levels. Focus on its connections with terms like 辩论 (debate) and how it relates to expressing opinions clearly and effectively.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, formal debates and discussions are often held in educational settings, reflecting the importance placed on reasoned argumentation and rhetoric. The character 辩 embodies this cultural emphasis on articulate discourse.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 辩 with 争 (zhēng), which also means to dispute but has a more confrontational tone. For example, saying '我和他辩了' (I argued with him) is appropriate, but '我和他争了' may imply a more aggressive disagreement.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 辩

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 辩

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Simplified form of 辯. Phonosemantic compound. 言 represents the meaning and 辡 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

A bitter 辛 exchange of words 讠

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 辩?

Decomposition of 辩

IDS Structure⿲辛讠辛
Full Character
=
Xin1
left
yan2
middle
Xin1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 辩?

Write 辩

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 辩

辩 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 5

Complete the Sentence

或许是你的雄____使情况发生了变化。

Perhaps your force of argument might have made some difference.

Example Sentences for 辩 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
或许是你的雄辩使情况发生了变化。

huò xǔ shì nǐ de xióng biàn shǐ qíng kuàng fā shēng le biàn huà。

Perhaps your force of argument might have made some difference.
2
国务卿已被那些诡辩之词给说服了。

guó wù qīng yǐ bèi nà xiē guǐ biàn zhī cí gěi shuō fú le。

The Secretary of State has given in to special pleading.
3
维克多·什科洛夫斯基为这本书公开辩护。

wéi kè duō· · shí kē luò fū sī jī wéi zhè běn shū gōng kāi biàn。

Viktor Shklovsky spoke out in defence of the book.
4
他犯了罪,这是无可争辩的。

tā fàn le zuì, , zhè shì wú kě zhēng biàn。

He committed a crime, no ifs or buts about it.
5
有关在该托管机构管理的62.5万英亩土地上狩猎一事,最近一次辩论是两年前。

yǒu guān zài gāi tuō guǎn jī gòu guǎn lǐ de62.5 62.5 wàn yīng mǔ tǔ dì shàng shòu liè yī, shì , zuì jìn yī cì biàn lùn shì liǎng。

Hunting on the trust's 625,000 acres was last debated two years ago.
6
他文雅、迷人、能言善辩,是一名优秀的谈判人。

tā wén yǎ、 、 mí、 rén 、 néng yán, shàn biàn , shì yī míng yōu xiù de。

He is polished, charming, articulate and an excellent negotiator.
7
在我看来,罗伯特爵士的争辩纯属瞎说。

zài wǒ kàn lái, , luó bó tè jué shì de zhēng biàn chún shǔ xiā。

It seemed to me that Sir Robert's arguments were nonsensical.
8
有必要让公众在充分知情的状况下展开辩论。

yǒu bì yào ràng gōng zhòng zài chōng fēn zhī qíng de zhuàng kuàng xià zhǎn kāi biàn lùn。

There needs to be a properly informed public debate.
9
你准备好反驳辩护人提出的问题了 吗 ?

nǐ zhǔn bèi hǎo fǎn bó biàn hù rén tí chū de wèn tí le?

Are you ready to plead against the case offered by the defendant?
10
国际象棋大师们以性格怪异和好与人争辩而闻名。

guó jì xiàng qí dà shī mén yǐ xìng gé guài yì hé hǎo yǔ rén zhēng biàn ér wén míng。

Great chess players have a reputation for being both eccentric and argumentative.

Cultural Notes for 辩

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, formal debates and discussions are often held in educational settings, reflecting the importance placed on reasoned argumentation and rhetoric. The character 辩 embodies this cultural emphasis on articulate discourse.

Word Family of 辩

Words Containing This Character20
辩护biànhùto defend辯護
biànto dispute
辩论biànlùndebate辯論
辩解biànjiěto explain辯解
争辩a dispute爭辯
辩证biànzhèngto investigate辯證
答辩dábiànto reply (to an accusation)答辯
辩证法dialectics辯證法
辩护人defender辯護人
抗辩to protest抗辯
狡辩to quibble狡辯
辩驳to dispute辯駁
申辩to defend oneself申辯
雄辩eloquent雄辯
辩证唯物主义dialectical materialism辯證唯物主義
诡辩sophistry詭辯
辩称to allege辯稱
分辩to explain the facts分辯
辩白to plead innocence辯白
能言善辩eloquent能言善辯
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 辩护 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 辩

辩 (biàn) emphasizes the aspect of disputing or arguing, while 论 (lùn) generally refers to discussion or discourse without the confrontational aspect. 辩 is more about presenting opposing views, whereas 论 can be used in a broader sense to discuss ideas.