字 Kanji Decipher

Meaning & readings

argument, discourse

On’yomi ロン
Kun’yomi あげつら.う

Origin

This character combines the word component 言 (words or speech) on the left with the sound component 侖 on the right. The 言 radical makes sense because arguments and discourse are fundamentally about speaking and expressing ideas. The 侖 component doesn't contribute meaning itself but rather hints at how the character should be pronounced, similar to how many kanji pair a meaningful element with a phonetic guide. Together, the shape represents the concept of verbal discourse — organized words put forth as an argument.

AI-generated (claude-haiku-4-5), not yet reviewed. Formation type (automated guess): Phono-semantic (meaning + sound hint).

論 15 strokes

Components

  • 言 radical left
  • 侖 sound hint right

A sound hint component points at the character’s pronunciation, not its meaning — don’t read a meaning into it.

Common words

  • 異論 いろん different opinion; objection
  • 概論 がいろん introduction; outline
  • 議論 ぎろん argument; discussion
  • 結論 けつろん conclusion (of an argument, discussion, study, etc.)
  • 言論 げんろん (one's) speech; expression of views
  • 公論 こうろん public opinion; unbiased criticism
  • 口論 こうろん quarrel; argument
  • 推論 すいろん inference; deduction

Related kanji

Same sound component 侖
Same radical

Reference

Strokes
15
Kangxi radical
149
Grade
Grade 6 (Kyōiku)
Frequency rank
#227 (newspapers)
Former JLPT
level 2
Unicode
U+08AD6