fǎnbó: 反驳 - To Refute, To Rebut, To Counter

• Keywords: 反驳, fanbo, refute in Chinese, rebut in Chinese, how to argue back in Chinese, disagree in Chinese, Chinese debate words, 反驳 meaning, fanbo pinyin, HSK 5 vocabulary.
• Summary: Learn how to use 反驳 (fǎnbó), the Chinese verb for “to refute” or “to rebut.” This powerful HSK 5 word isn't just for simple disagreement; it signifies a structured, evidence-based counter-argument. This guide covers its meaning, cultural nuances related to “face,” and practical examples for debates, formal discussions, and even online arguments, helping you understand when and how to use it effectively without causing offense.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): fǎnbó
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: 5
• Concise Definition: To formally counter or disprove a statement or argument with reasons or evidence.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 反驳 (fǎnbó) as the verbal equivalent of a lawyer presenting a counter-argument in court. It's not a casual “I disagree.” It implies that you have listened to someone's point, analyzed it, found flaws, and are now presenting a structured response to prove it wrong. It carries a formal, assertive, and logical tone.

• 反 (fǎn): This character's core meaning is “opposite,” “to reverse,” or “anti-.” Imagine flipping something over—that's the essence of 反.
• 驳 (bó): This character means “to rebut” or “to contradict.” The traditional form (駁) combines the “horse” radical (马) with a component (爻) suggesting intertwined lines. While the origin is complex, you can think of it as representing a clash or crossing of arguments.
• Together, 反 (opposite) + 驳 (rebut) creates a powerful and unambiguous term: to rebut from an opposing standpoint, to launch a counter-argument.

In Chinese culture, which often prioritizes social harmony (和谐, héxié) and the preservation of “face” (面子, miànzi), direct confrontation is generally avoided. To 反驳 (fǎnbó) someone, especially an elder, a superior, or even a peer in a public setting, can be a very serious action. It can be perceived as aggressive and may cause the other person to lose face, potentially damaging the relationship (关系, guānxi). This contrasts with many Western cultures, where “healthy debate” or “speaking your mind” is often encouraged as a way to find the truth. In China, 反驳 is a tool used with caution. It is most appropriate in contexts where logical argumentation is the primary goal and personal feelings are secondary, such as:

• Formal debates (辩论, biànlùn)
• Legal proceedings
• Academic discussions
• Anonymous online forums

In everyday conversation, people tend to express disagreement using softer, more indirect methods. Using 反驳 casually can make you seem argumentative or disrespectful.

• Formal & Academic Contexts: This is the ideal environment for 反驳. A scholar might write a paper to 反驳 a colleague's theory. A lawyer will 反驳 the prosecutor's claims with evidence.
• Business Settings: Use with extreme care. Directly using 反驳 against a boss's idea is usually a bad move. Among colleagues of equal status, it might be used during a strategy session, but phrases like “I have a different perspective” (我有一个不同的看法, wǒ yǒu yīgè bùtóng de kànfǎ) are often safer.
• Online & Social Media: 反驳 is extremely common online. The anonymity of the internet lowers the stakes of “losing face,” and netizens (网友, wǎngyǒu) frequently 反驳 each other's opinions on news, politics, and entertainment.
• Personal Relationships: Avoid using this word with friends and family unless you are intentionally trying to be forceful. It can escalate a simple disagreement into a serious argument. Saying “I don't agree” (我不同意, wǒ bù tóngyì) is much more common and less confrontational.

• Example 1:
  • 律师用有力的证据反驳了对方的指控。
  • Pinyin: Lǜshī yòng yǒulì de zhèngjù fǎnbó le duìfāng de zhǐkòng.
  • English: The lawyer used strong evidence to rebut the other party's accusations.
  • Analysis: This is a classic, formal use of 反驳. It takes place in a legal context where structured refutation is expected.
• Example 2:
  • 他提出的观点听起来有道理，但我找不到任何理由来反驳。
  • Pinyin: Tā tíchū de guāndiǎn tīng qǐlái yǒu dàolǐ, dàn wǒ zhǎo bù dào rènhé lǐyóu lái fǎnbó.
  • English: The point he raised sounds reasonable, but I can't find any reason to refute it.
  • Analysis: This shows the speaker has considered the argument logically and cannot find a flaw. The use of 反驳 emphasizes the logical nature of the evaluation.
• Example 3:
  • 你不能只是说“我不同意”，你需要反驳我的论点。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bùnéng zhǐshì shuō “wǒ bù tóngyì”, nǐ xūyào fǎnbó wǒ de lùndiǎn.
  • English: You can't just say “I disagree,” you need to refute my argument.
  • Analysis: This sentence explicitly highlights the difference between simple disagreement and a structured refutation. It's a demand for a logical counter-point.
• Example 4:
  • 这篇报道充满了谣言，我们必须立刻写一篇文章来反驳。
  • Pinyin: Zhè piān bàodào chōngmǎn le yáoyán, wǒmen bìxū lìkè xiě yī piān wénzhāng lái fǎnbó.
  • English: This report is full of rumors; we must immediately write an article to refute it.
  • Analysis: Here, 反驳 is used in the context of public relations or journalism, countering misinformation.
• Example 5:
  • 在辩论赛中，正方的第一位辩手有力地反驳了反方的观点。
  • Pinyin: Zài biànlùn sài zhōng, zhèngfāng de dì yī wèi biànshǒu yǒulì de fǎnbó le fǎnfāng de guāndiǎn.
  • English: In the debate competition, the first debater for the affirmative side forcefully refuted the negative side's point of view.
  • Analysis: This is another textbook example of 反驳 in its natural habitat: a formal debate.
• Example 6:
  • 面对确凿的证据，他无力反驳。
  • Pinyin: Miànduì quèzuò de zhèngjù, tā wúlì fǎnbó.
  • English: Faced with conclusive evidence, he was unable to refute it.
  • Analysis: The phrase 无力反驳 (wúlì fǎnbó) is a common collocation meaning “powerless to refute” or “having no comeback.”
• Example 7:
  • 他的话听起来很有说服力，但仔细一想，每一个论点都经不起反驳。
  • Pinyin: Tā de huà tīng qǐlái hěn yǒu shuōfú lì, dàn zǐxì yī xiǎng, měi yīgè lùndiǎn dōu jīng bù qǐ fǎnbó.
  • English: His words sounded very persuasive, but upon careful thought, none of his arguments can withstand refutation.
  • Analysis: Here, 反驳 is used as a noun (“refutation”). The phrase 经不起 (jīng bù qǐ) means “cannot withstand” or “cannot stand up to.”
• Example 8:
  • 我想反驳一下你刚才说的第一点。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xiǎng fǎnbó yīxià nǐ gāngcái shuō de dì yī diǎn.
  • English: I'd like to rebut the first point you just made.
  • Analysis: This is a direct but focused way to introduce a counter-argument. By targeting a specific point, it can feel less like a personal attack and more like a constructive part of a discussion.
• Example 9:
  • 不要轻易反驳你的老板，除非你对自己的想法有百分之百的信心。
  • Pinyin: Bùyào qīngyì fǎnbó nǐ de lǎobǎn, chúfēi nǐ duì zìjǐ de xiǎngfǎ yǒu bǎi fēn zhī bǎi de xìnxīn.
  • English: Don't casually refute your boss unless you are 100% confident in your own idea.
  • Analysis: This sentence serves as practical cultural advice, warning against the potential negative consequences of using 反驳 in a hierarchical relationship.
• Example 10:
  • 网上有人说地球是平的，马上就有一堆网友留言反驳他。
  • Pinyin: Wǎngshàng yǒurén shuō dìqiú shì píng de, mǎshàng jiù yǒu yī duī wǎngyǒu liúyán fǎnbó tā.
  • English: Someone online said the Earth is flat, and immediately a bunch of netizens left comments to refute him.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the modern, informal use of 反驳 in online discourse where directness is more common.

• Mistake 1: Using 反驳 for simple disagreement.
  • A friend says, “这个电影很无聊” (This movie is boring). You should not respond, “我反驳” (I refute). This is grammatically correct but socially awkward and overly aggressive.
  • Correct: “我不同意 (wǒ bù tóngyì)” or “我觉得还不错啊 (wǒ juédé hái bùcuò a).”
  • Rule of Thumb: Use 不同意 (bù tóngyì) for opinions and feelings. Use 反驳 (fǎnbó) for facts, logic, and structured arguments.
• Mistake 2: Using 反驳 too casually with superiors or elders.
  • As mentioned in the cultural context, directly refuting an elder's point can be seen as highly disrespectful. It challenges their wisdom and authority, causing a loss of 面子 (miànzi). Unless you are in a setting where this is explicitly allowed (like an academic seminar), find a softer approach.
• “False Friend” Nuance: “Disagree” vs. “Refute”
  • While not a classic “false friend,” English speakers often use “disagree” in situations where a Chinese speaker would differentiate between 不同意 (bù tóngyì) and 反驳 (fǎnbó).
  • “I disagree with his analysis” could translate to either, but 反驳 implies you are prepared to present a counter-analysis with evidence, while 不同意 can simply mean you have a different feeling or conclusion without a full-blown argument. 反驳 is a much sharper and more specific tool.

• 不同意 (bù tóngyì) - To disagree. A much softer, more general, and more common way to express a different opinion.
• 反对 (fǎnduì) - To oppose. Broader than 反驳. One can oppose a plan or policy on principle, without necessarily engaging in a point-by-point refutation.
• 辩论 (biànlùn) - To debate. A formal activity where 反驳 is a primary skill and action.
• 争论 (zhēnglùn) - To argue; a dispute. Often implies more emotion and less structure than 反驳. It can be a heated argument rather than a logical refutation.
• 证据 (zhèngjù) - Evidence. The essential ammunition required to effectively 反驳 a claim.
• 观点 (guāndiǎn) - Point of view; perspective. This is what is being attacked or defended during a 反驳.
• 说服 (shuōfú) - To persuade; to convince. This is often the ultimate goal of making a 反驳.
• 面子 (miànzi) - “Face”; social standing/prestige. The key cultural concept that makes using 反驳 a delicate matter in Chinese social interactions.