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辩 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
辩biànto disputeHSK 7, n, 16 strokes, radical 辛, rank #4715, Very Hard
辩biànto debateHSK 7, n, 16 strokes, radical 辛, rank #4715, Very Hard
辩biànto argueHSK 7, n, 16 strokes, radical 辛, rank #4715, Very Hard
辩biànto discussHSK 7, n, 16 strokes, radical 辛, rank #4715, Very Hard
biàn(bian4)bian T4
  1. 1to dispute
  2. 2to debate
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March 24, 2026

辩(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.

Strokes16Radical辛Frequency#4715DifficultyVery Hard
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

By ear

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About 辩

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

Podcast: 辩

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Podcast: 辩

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AI study notes for 辩

Quick Contrast

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

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.

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

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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

Origin

What kind of character is 辩?

Decomposition of 辩

IDS Structure⿲辛讠辛
辩Full character
=
辛Xin1
left
讠yan2
middle
辛Xin1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 辩?

How to say to dispute in Chinese

“to dispute” in Chinese is辩biàn

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.

When to use 辩

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.

辩 or something close to it

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

What learners get wrong

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.

Write 辩

辩

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

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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

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

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)

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1
或许是你的雄辩使情况发生了变化。

huòxǔ shì nǐ de xióng biàn shǐ qíngkuàng fāshēng le biànhuà。

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 nàxiē guǐ biàn zhī cí gěi shuōfú 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· shén kē luò fū Sī jī wèi zhè běn shū gōngkāi biànhù。

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 zhēngbiàn de。

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。

yǒuguān zài gāi tuō guǎn jīgòu guǎnlǐ de62.5 wàn Yīng mǔ tǔdì shàng shòu liè yī shì, zuìjìn yī cì biànlùn shì liǎng niánqián。

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 wényǎ、 mírén、 néng yán shàn biàn, shì yī míng yōuxiù de tánpàn rén。

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 kànlái, luō bà tè juéshì de zhēngbiàn chún shǔ xiā shuō。

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 bìyào ràng gōngzhòng zài chōngfèn zhī qíng de zhuàngkuàng xià zhǎnkāi biànlùn。

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 zhǔnbèi hǎo fǎnbó biànhù rén tíchū de wèntí le ma?

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。

guójì xiàngqí dàshī men yǐ xìnggé guàiyì héhǎo yǔ rén zhēngbiàn ér wénmíng。

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

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Word Family of 辩

Words containing this character20
辩护biànhùto defend辯護
辩biànto dispute辯
辩论biànlùndebate辯論
辩解biànjiěto explain辯解
争辩zhēngbiàna dispute爭辯
辩证biànzhèngto investigate辯證
答辩dábiànto reply (to an accusation)答辯
辩证法biànzhèngfǎdialectics辯證法
辩护人biànhùréndefender辯護人
抗辩kàngbiànto protest抗辯
狡辩jiǎobiànto quibble狡辯
辩驳biànbóto dispute辯駁
申辩shēnbiànto defend oneself申辯
雄辩xióngbiàneloquent雄辯
辩证唯物主义biànzhèngwéiwùzhǔyìdialectical materialism辯證唯物主義
诡辩guǐbiànsophistry詭辯
辩称biànchēngto allege辯稱
分辩fēnbiànto explain the facts分辯
辩白biànbáito plead innocence辯白
能言善辩néngyánshànbiàneloquent能言善辯
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 辩

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.

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