議論 and 討論: discussion and debate
Learn the overlapping scope of discussion and debate while separating participation, topic, and conclusion.
Exchanging opinions
議論, read ぎろん, means discussion involving opinions or reasons. 計画について議論しました。 means discussing a plan.
議論が続いています。 says that the discussion continues. It does not necessarily describe an angry quarrel.
Debating a topic
討論, read とうろん, means discussing or debating a topic through an exchange of views. 教育について討論しました。 means debating education.
討論会に参加しました。 means participating in a debate event. Participation alone does not specify how often someone presented or spoke.
Conclusions and agreement
議論 and 討論 overlap in meaning. Do not always divide them rigidly by group size or format. Both can introduce the topic with について.
長く議論しましたが、結論は出ませんでした。 says that there was a long discussion but no conclusion. Length of discussion does not establish agreement.
Was a conclusion reached in 長く議論しましたが、結論は出ませんでした?
Show the answer and why
No. The discussion was lengthy, but it did not reach a conclusion.