attack · discuss

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading of 討 is とう, and its kun reading is うつ. It has 10 strokes and relates to attacking or discussing.
• Basic usage: 討つ is read うつ, and 討論 is read とうろん.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 討つ and 討論
  • 討つ means to defeat or to avenge.
  • 物語の武将は主君の敵を討った。 means “The warrior in the story avenged his lord.”
  • 討論 means debate or discussion.
  • 生徒たちは制服の必要性について討論した。 means “The students debated whether school uniforms were necessary.”