反駁

• Reading: はんばく
• Romaji: hanbaku
• Kanji breakdown: 反 (han/so) — oppose, counter; 駁 (baku) — refute, contradict, mixed
• Pronunciation: /hambakɯ/

Meaning

Refutation; rebuttal; counterargument. The act of forcefully contradicting or disproving an opposing argument.

A verbal noun (する verb). More forceful and combative than 反論 (counterargument). Implies an active, detailed dismantling of the opposing position. Common in academic debates, legal proceedings, and formal discourse. 反駁の余地がない means there is no room for rebuttal.

Examples

1. 彼は相手の論拠を一つひとつ丁寧に反駁し、自説の正しさを示した。 He carefully refuted his opponent's arguments one by one, demonstrating the correctness of his own position.
2. その主張は反駁の余地がないほど論理的に構築されていた。 The argument was constructed so logically that there was no room for rebuttal.
3. 有力な証拠を前にして、弁護士は有効な反駁ができなかった。 Faced with compelling evidence, the lawyer was unable to mount an effective rebuttal.

Usage Guide

Context: law, academia, philosophy, debate

Tone: combative

Origin & History

Compound of 反 (han, to oppose/counter) and 駁 (baku, to refute/dispute). 駁 specifically carries the sense of contradicting or rebutting, making the compound about forceful argumentative challenge.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated