Word
論ずる
Meaning in Englishto argue, to discuss
Animated kanji stroke order
Word context
What it means
To discuss or argue a topic; it denotes presenting reasons to support or challenge a proposition and analyzing a matter in a formal, scholarly manner. Used mainly in written or formal contexts rather than casual speech.
Main meanings
- to discuss or debate a topic in formal or scholarly contexts
- to argue that something is true by presenting reasons or evidence
- to deliberate on a matter, often in philosophical, legal, or analytical discourse
How to use it
Used in formal writing to present a reasoned discussion or analysis of a topic; commonly appears with を or について to mark the subject; often found in academic essays, philosophical treatises, historical narratives, and legal or policy analysis.
Variants and close terms
- 論じる (ronjiru) — to discuss or argue in a more common, modern register
- 議論する (girō suru) — to debate or discuss in a direct sense
- 論説する (ronsetsu suru) — to write an essay or opinion piece
Composition
- 論: argument, discussion, theory
- ずる: verb-forming suffix turning the noun into an action
Etymology
論 + ずる; phonetic evolution preserves the reading ronzu-ru, with -ずる as a classical verb-forming suffix that turns a noun into an action
Word class
verb (古典・文語の動詞)