据理力争 (jù lǐ lì zhēng) — to argue based on reason; to contend with good reasons

Definition

A formal chengyu meaning to argue forcefully and persistently on the basis of reason or principle, not emotion. Implies standing one's ground with strong, justified arguments.

idiom
to argue based on reasonto contend with good reasons

Examples

  • ，据理力争，。
    Zài biàn lùn zhōng, tā jù lǐ lì zhēng, shuō fú le duì fāng.
    In the debate, he argued based on reason and convinced the other side.
  • ，据理力争，。
    Huì yì shàng, dài biǎo men jù lǐ lì zhēng, yāo qiú xiū gǎi zhèng cè.
    At the meeting, the representatives reasoned firmly, demanding a policy revision.
  • 据理力争，。
    Tā jù lǐ lì zhēng, zhōng yú yíng dé le dà jiā de zhī chí.
    He argued on the basis of reason and finally won everyone's support.

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.

据理rely on reason
据jùrely on理lǐreason
动宾Verb + object
力争strive hard
力lìwith effort争zhēngargue
偏正Modifier + head

据理, relying on reason, and 力争, striving hard, show arguing forcefully on sound grounds.

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
手手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
居
居jū据jù
Same sound today

据 uses 手 (hand) as one part and 居 to give the sound.

Open 据 →

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
玉玉yùjade
Sound part声符shēngfú
里
里lǐ理lǐ
Same sound today

理 pairs 玉 (jade) with 里, which shows how to say it; the jade part points to the old sense of polishing jade.

Open 理 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

力 is drawn as either an arm bending out from the side of the body or a wooden plough.

Open 力 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 爭; 争 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 爭 shows two hands on a plowshare; the simplified 争 is a later abbreviation, so this picture belongs to 爭, not 争.

Open 争 →

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