据理力争
jù lǐ lì zhēng
to argue hard on the strength of reason
Character by character
据jù
rely on
rely on
理lǐ
reason
reason
力lì
hard
hard
争zhēng
contend
contend
Example
面对不合理的罚款，她据理力争，对方最后撤销了处罚。
Faced with an unfair fine, she argued her case firmly, and in the end they withdrew the penalty.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
Used of standing up for what is right, often against a stronger party: 在谈判中据理力争, 为工人的权益据理力争. Its opposite is 强词夺理, arguing when reason is not on your side.
Learn this in Lesson 227 · HSK 9+: 辩论的艺术 (The art of debate)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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