论

論

lún, lùn

Rank #205

Definitions

lùn (verb) to discuss; to talk about; to regard; to consider

lùn (noun) theory; opinion; view

lùn (particle) per; by (used with units like kilometer, hour)

lún (noun) theory (same as when pronounced as lùn)

Etymology

Simplified form of 論. Phonosemantic compound. 言 represents the meaning and 侖 represents the sound.

About

The character "论" derives from its traditional form "論", a compound structure integrating the semantic radical "言" for speech with the phonetic component "侖" conveying order, thereby originally denoting sequenced or logical discourse. Its meaning gradually broadened from referring specifically to structured argumentation and classical treatises to include more general notions of discussion, theoretical analysis, and evaluative judgment in modern contexts. The simplified iteration "论" maintains this conceptual foundation by combining the condensed speech radical "讠" with the streamlined phonetic "仑", representing a structural modification that continues to echo the character's etymological origins in systematized verbal expression.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他喜欢讨论。

Tā xǐhuān tǎolùn.

He likes to discuss.

无论谁来，我都欢迎。

Wúlùn shéi lái, wǒ dōu huānyíng.

No matter who comes, I welcome them.

这个理论很复杂。

Zhège lǐlùn hěn fùzá.

This theory is very complex.

我们得出了结论。

Wǒmen déchūle jiélùn.

We have reached a conclusion.

他们正在辩论这个问题。

Tāmen zhèngzài biànlùn zhège wèntí.

They are debating this issue.

论重要性，这个项目排第一。

Lùn zhòngyàoxìng, zhège xiàngmù pái dìyī.

In terms of importance, this project ranks first.

无论天气如何，我们都要继续工作。

Wúlùn tiānqì rúhé, wǒmen dōu yào jìxù gōngzuò.

No matter what the weather is like, we must continue working.

在学术会议上，专家们广泛讨论了气候变化的影响。

Zài xuéshù huìyì shàng, zhuānjiāmen guǎngfàn tǎolùnle qìhòu biànhuà de yǐngxiǎng.

At the academic conference, experts extensively discussed the impact of climate change.

Related Characters

Component: 仑

Component: 讠

Components

仑讠

论