tranh luận
[t͡ɕajŋ̟˧˧ lwən˧˨ʔ]
In Vietnamese, the word for debate is tranh luận.
tranh luận refers to an argument or a discussion, typically held in an ordered or formal setting. Depending on the context and the words surrounding it, tranh luận can function as both a noun meaning a debate and a verb meaning to debate or to argue.
Meaning: argument, or discussion, usually in an ordered or formal setting (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of two parts: tranh, which means to fight, to compete or to struggle and luận, which means to discuss, to argue or to reason.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the verb tranh luận into a noun meaning a specific event like 'the debate', you often add the classifier cuộc to create cuộc tranh luận.
Did you know?
- While tranh means 'to compete' in the context of a debate, the exact same word tranh also refers to 'thatch grass' when used in a different context.
- In a social context, a tranh luận is distinct from a cãi nhau, which describes a heated, emotional argument rather than a formal intellectual exchange.
- The component luận is also used in many formal academic terms, such as luận văn meaning 'thesis', showing that 'debate' belongs to a high-register, intellectual vocabulary.
Examples in context
- Cuộc tranh luận sẽ diễn ra tối nay.The debate will happen tonight.This sentence is useful for describing when a tranh luận will take place.Tatoeba #5767757 by yippe, translation #2698907 by WestofEden
- Cuộc tranh luận này sẽ không đưa họ đi đến đâu.This debate won't get us anywhere.This sentence shows how to describe a tranh luận that is unproductive.Tatoeba #10290266 by Alex_do, translation #5358036 by AlanF_US
- Tôi nghĩ đây là một cuộc tranh luận rất không công bằng.I think this is a very unfair debate.This sentence demonstrates how to describe a tranh luận as being unfair.Tatoeba #10703676 by quoctrong018, translation #3453787 by al_ex_an_der
Example conversation
Minh and Chi are talking about a political program on TV.
- MinhAnh có xem cuộc tranh luận tối qua không?Did you watch the debate last night?
- ChiEm có, cuộc tranh luận đó rất hay.I did, that debate was very good.
- MinhAnh cũng thấy nó rất sôi nổi.I also thought it was very lively.
- ChiĐúng vậy, các ứng cử viên rất giỏi.That's right, the candidates are very good.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “debate” translations and entries tranh luận, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries luận, tranh, tranh luận, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
