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雄辩 (xióng biàn) — eloquence; persuasive debating skill; convincing argument; powerful reasoning

Definition

A written, formal word for 'eloquence' or a 'powerful, persuasive argument' — stronger than everyday 辩论 and used in essays, speeches, or news reports rather than casual talk.

noun
eloquencepersuasive debating skillconvincing argumentpowerful reasoning

Examples

  • 雄辩，。
    Tā de xióng biàn fēi cháng chū sè, měi cì biàn lùn dōu néng shuō fú dà jiā.
    His eloquence is outstanding; every debate he convinces everyone.
  • 雄辩，。
    Shì shí shèng yú xióng biàn, wǒ men zhī kàn jié guǒ jiù gòu le.
    Facts speak louder than words; we just need to look at the results.
  • 雄辩。
    Tā de xióng biàn ràng suǒ yǒu rén wú huà kě shuō.
    His convincing argument left everyone speechless.

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.

雄xióngpowerful
辩biànargument

雄辩 is a 辩 (argument) that is 雄 (powerful), so it means eloquent, convincing reasoning.

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
隹隹zhuī
Sound part声符shēngfú
厷
厷gōng雄xióng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

雄 is formed by putting 隹 together with 厷, with 厷 giving the character's sound.

Open 雄 →

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 辯; 辩 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yánsay
Sound part声符shēngfú
辡
辡biàn辯biàn
Same sound today

The traditional form 辯 pairs 言, meaning say, with 辡, which gives the sound; the simplified 辩 is a later shorthand.

Open 辩 →
Appears in
Communication & SpeechPersonality & Traits

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