定论 (dìng lùn) — final conclusion; accepted argument | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

定论 is a conclusion that is settled, definitive, or officially accepted — a 'final word' on a matter. Stronger and more authoritative than the everyday 结论, which is any conclusion reached.

noun

final conclusionaccepted argument

Examples

，定论。
Guān yú zhè ge wèn tí, xué shù jiè zhì jīn méi yǒu dìng lùn.
The academic world has yet to reach a final conclusion on this issue.
定论。
Tā de yán jiū chéng guǒ yǐ chéng wéi kē xué dìng lùn.
His research results have become an accepted scientific conclusion.
定论。
Lì shǐ dìng lùn wǎng wǎng xū yào jīng guò shí jiān de jiǎn yàn.
Historical conclusions often need to be tested by time.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

论lùnargument

定 (fixed) and 论 (argument) together mean a settled, accepted conclusion.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

宀宀mián

Sound part声符shēngfú

正

正zhèng定dìng

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

定 is built from 宀 and 正, with 正 supplying the sound.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 論; 论 is its simplified writing.

言侖論

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

侖

侖lún論lùn

Same sound today

The traditional form 論 pairs 言 (“say”) with 侖 as a sound component; the simplified 论 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical parts.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 Abstract Concepts

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