論 means “argument, theory”

ろん · ron

Also: discourse

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

あげつらう

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

ロン

JLPT N3 · Taught in grade 6 · 15 strokes

The story

Words (言) set in order like bamboo slips bound together (侖): reasoning laid out step by step. A student's 論文 is built that way, and 結論 is where the whole line of argument finally lands.

Used in 議論 (giron, discussion/debate), 結論 (ketsuron, conclusion), and 論文 (ronbun, thesis/paper)

More from Council & Debate

• 投 throw
• 談 talk
• 可 possible
• 断 refuse
• 否 no
• 許 permit
• 賛 approve
• 議 debate
• 対 versus
• 定 fix
• 選 choose
• 決 decide

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Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.