辩解

• Pinyin: biàn jiě
• Hanzi breakdown: 辩 = 辛 + 言 + 辛 (debate); 解 = 角 (horn) + 刀 (knife) + 牛 (ox)

Meaning

To justify; to offer an explanation; to defend oneself.

Refers to explaining or justifying one's actions, often when accused or criticized. Can carry a slightly negative connotation of making excuses. Different from 辩护 in that it focuses more on explaining than defending in a formal sense.

Examples

1. 他试图辩解，但没有人愿意听他的解释。 He tried to justify himself, but no one was willing to listen to his explanation.
2. 别辩解了，错了就承认，改了就好。 Stop making excuses — just admit you were wrong and fix it.
3. 面对质疑，她没有辩解，只是默默继续工作。 Facing the questioning, she didn't defend herself, just quietly continued working.

Usage Guide

Context: defense, explanation, confrontation

Tone: defensive

Do Say

• 他一直在辩解。(He kept trying to justify himself.)
• 别再辩解了。(Stop making excuses.)

Don't Say

• 用辩解形容正式辩论 (Don't use 辩解 for formal debate — use 辩论; 辩解 implies personal justification)

Origin & History

辩 (argue) + 解 (explain). To argue and explain.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal