答辩 dábiàn to reply (to an accusation)
to reply (to an accusation); to defend one's dissertation
How to remember 答辩: 答 answer + 辩 to argue = to reply (to an accusation).
Characters
How it is used
- To defend oneself in formal debate - 论文答辩 (lùnwén dábiàn) a thesis defense; 当庭答辩 to plead/rebut in court.
- Specific to formal settings where one answers challenges: academic defenses, legal replies, debates.
- Not casual 'reply'; that's 回答/答复.