雄弁

• Reading: ゆうべん
• Romaji: yuuben
• Kanji breakdown: 雄 (yuu) — heroic, powerful, masculine; 弁 (ben) — speech, eloquence, plead
• Pronunciation: /jɯː.ben/

Meaning

Eloquence; oratory; fluency. The ability to speak in a powerful, persuasive, and impressive manner.

Used both as a noun (his eloquence) and a na-adjective (雄弁な演説 — an eloquent speech). 雄弁 carries a grander, more commanding connotation than 弁舌 — it suggests not just fluent speech but forceful, persuasive power. The proverb 雄弁は銀、沈黙は金 (speech is silver, silence is golden) is a well-known expression that uses this word.

Examples

1. 彼は雄弁な演説で聴衆の心を動かし、選挙で大差をつけて勝利した。 He moved the audience with an eloquent speech and won the election by a wide margin.
2. 雄弁は銀、沈黙は金というが、場の空気を読んで黙ることも一つの知恵だ。 They say speech is silver and silence is gold—knowing when to stay quiet by reading the room is a kind of wisdom too.
3. 流暢に話せることよりも、雄弁さよりも、誠実さのほうが大切だと思う。 I believe sincerity matters more than fluency or eloquence.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, public speaking, literature, oratory

Tone: admiring

Origin & History

Sino-Japanese compound. 雄 means heroic, masculine, or powerful; 弁 means speech or eloquence — together conveying bold, forceful, impressive oratory.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal