辩

辯

biàn

讠 + 辛

HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

biàn (verb) to debate; to argue; to dispute

biàn (verb) to distinguish; to discriminate

Etymology

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

About

The character 辩 is the simplified form of 辯. In the traditional character, the full speech radical 言 sits between two 辛 components; simplified, 言 becomes 讠, but the structure remains the same. It is a phonosemantic compound: the speech radical indicates the meaning domain of verbal exchange, while the element 辡 (formed by the two 辛) supplies the sound. 辛 originally depicted a tattooing needle used to mark criminals and later came to denote hardship or bitterness. The character means to debate, argue, or defend a position.

Etymology Hide

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他参加辩论比赛。

Tā cānjiā biànlùn bǐsài.

He participates in a debate competition.

她为错误辩解。

Tā wèi cuòwù biànjiě.

She excuses the mistake.

律师在法庭辩护。

Lǜshī zài fǎtíng biànhù.

The lawyer defends in court.

我们不要争辩了。

Wǒmen bù yào zhēngbiàn le.

Let's not argue anymore.

他辩驳对方的观点。

Tā biànbó duìfāng de guāndiǎn.

He refutes the opponent's point.

他的辩才使得听众信服。

Tā de biàncái shǐde tīngzhòng xìnfú.

His eloquence convinces the audience.

在会议上，他申辩了自己的立场。

Zài huìyì shàng, tā shēnbiàn le zìjǐ de lìchǎng.

At the meeting, he pleaded his position.

经过激烈辩论，他们达成一致。

Jīngguò jīliè biànlùn, tāmen dáchéng yīzhì.

After fierce debate, they reached an agreement.

Related Characters

Component: 讠

Component: 辛

辩