biànhù: 辩护 - To Defend, Plead, Argue in Favor Of

• Keywords: biànhù, 辩护, defend in Chinese, plead in Chinese, Chinese for lawyer, legal defense in China, how to say defend, justify in Chinese, Chinese legal terms, argue for, speak in defense of.
• Summary: Learn the Chinese word 辩护 (biànhù), the primary term for legal defense and formal justification. This page breaks down how to use 辩护 in legal contexts, like when a lawyer defends a client, and in broader situations where one might defend a policy or action. Discover the cultural nuances of legal defense in China and understand the critical difference between 辩护 (biànhù) and simply making an excuse.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): biàn hù
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: To speak in defense of someone or something, especially in a legal context.
• In a Nutshell: 辩护 (biànhù) is a formal and weighty word. The core image is a lawyer standing in a courtroom, systematically presenting arguments to protect a client from an accusation. It's about using reason and evidence to shield someone or something from attack. While it can be used outside of legal proceedings, it always carries this feeling of a structured, serious defense against significant criticism or charges.

• 辩 (biàn): This character is about argumentation and debate. The left radical, 言 (yán), means “speech” or “words.” The right part, 辛 (xīn), can imply something sharp or contentious. Together, 辩 signifies using words to dispute or argue a point.
• 护 (hù): This character means to protect or guard. The left radical, 扌(shǒu), is the “hand” radical. The right part, 户 (hù), means “door” or “household.” The image is of using one's hand to guard a door.
• The combination is beautifully logical: 辩护 (biànhù) literally means “to use speech (辩) to protect (护).”

In China, the concept and practice of legal defense have evolved significantly. Historically, the Confucian value of social harmony often meant that open, adversarial confrontation in a legal setting was less common than in the West. Admitting fault and seeking a mediated resolution was often prioritized over a vigorous legal fight. Comparing 辩护 (biànhù) to “legal defense” in American culture highlights a key difference. In the U.S., the defense attorney's role is deeply embedded in the “innocent until proven guilty” principle and is seen as a cornerstone of justice. In China, while the legal framework for defense exists and is strengthening, there can still be a residual cultural perception that mounting a strong 辩护 (biànhù) is an attempt to “get away with something” or deny the obvious, rather than an essential right. For learners, it's important to understand that while 辩护 (biànhù) is the correct legal term, the act itself can be viewed through a different cultural lens, one that is slowly shifting with the modernization of China's legal system.

辩护 (biànhù) is used primarily in formal contexts.

• Legal Context: This is its most common and direct usage. It refers to the official act of a defense lawyer representing a defendant.
  • e.g., `辩护律师 (biànhù lǜshī)` - defense lawyer
  • e.g., `为被告辩护 (wèi bèigào biànhù)` - to defend the defendant
• Formal/Academic Context: It can be used when defending a controversial theory, policy, or artistic work against serious criticism. It implies a well-reasoned, public argument.
  • e.g., “He published an essay to defend his economic theory.”
• Serious Personal Context: You might use 辩护 (biànhù) when formally defending a friend or family member against a serious, public accusation. It's much stronger than just “sticking up for someone.” Using it suggests you are presenting a case on their behalf. For casual situations, other words are used.

Its connotation is generally neutral and professional, but it can be perceived negatively if the person or cause being defended is seen as clearly in the wrong (e.g., “Why are you still defending him?”).

• Example 1:
  • 他聘请了一位著名律师为自己辩护。
  • Pinyin: Tā pìnqǐngle yí wèi zhùmíng lǜshī wèi zìjǐ biànhù.
  • English: He hired a famous lawyer to defend him.
  • Analysis: A classic example of 辩护 in a legal context. The structure `为 (wèi)… 辩护 (biànhù)` means “to defend…”
• Example 2:
  • 每个被告都有权获得法律辩护。
  • Pinyin: Měi gè bèigào dōu yǒu quán huòdé fǎlǜ biànhù.
  • English: Every defendant has the right to a legal defense.
  • Analysis: Here, 辩护 is used as a noun, meaning “defense.” This is very common in legal language.
• Example 3:
  • 他的辩护律师在法庭上提出了新的证据。
  • Pinyin: Tā de biànhù lǜshī zài fǎtíng shàng tíchūle xīn de zhèngjù.
  • English: His defense lawyer presented new evidence in court.
  • Analysis: `辩护律师 (biànhù lǜshī)` is the set term for “defense lawyer.”
• Example 4:
  • 你不必为他的错误行为辩护。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ búbì wèi tā de cuòwù xíngwéi biànhù.
  • English: You don't have to defend his wrongdoings.
  • Analysis: This shows the word used outside a courtroom but still in a serious context of defending someone's actions.
• Example 5:
  • 这位学者写了一整本书来辩护他的理论。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi xuézhě xiěle yì zhěng běn shū lái biànhù tā de lǐlùn.
  • English: This scholar wrote an entire book to defend his theory.
  • Analysis: An example of defending an idea or concept, not a person. It highlights the formal, academic use of the word.
• Example 6:
  • 面对指控，他一言不发，放弃了辩护。
  • Pinyin: Miànduì zhǐkòng, tā yì yán bù fā, fàngqìle biànhù.
  • English: Facing the accusations, he said nothing and gave up his defense.
  • Analysis: Again, 辩护 is used as a noun here, meaning “the act of defense” or “one's defense.”
• Example 7:
  • 检察官的论点很有力，让辩护方很难反驳。
  • Pinyin: Jiǎncháguān de lùndiǎn hěn yǒulì, ràng biànhù fāng hěn nán fǎnbó.
  • English: The prosecutor's argument was very strong, making it difficult for the defense side to refute.
  • Analysis: `辩护方 (biànhù fāng)` means “the defense side” or “the defense team” in a legal case.
• Example 8:
  • 我不是在为他辩护，我只是在陈述事实。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ búshì zài wèi tā biànhù, wǒ zhǐshì zài chénshù shìshí.
  • English: I'm not defending him, I'm just stating the facts.
  • Analysis: A very common phrase used to distance oneself from the act of defending while still providing information that might be favorable to someone.
• Example 9:
  • 在证据面前，任何辩护都显得苍白无力。
  • Pinyin: Zài zhèngjù miànqián, rènhé biànhù dōu xiǎnde cāngbái wúlì.
  • English: In the face of the evidence, any defense seems pale and weak.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses 辩护 metaphorically to mean any attempt at justification.
• Example 10:
  • 作为他的朋友，我感到有责任为他的人品辩护。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi tā de péngyou, wǒ gǎndào yǒu zérèn wèi tā de rénpǐn biànhù.
  • English: As his friend, I feel a responsibility to defend his character.
  • Analysis: This is a strong, serious personal usage. You are not just “sticking up” for him, you are mounting a defense of his moral character.

• `辩护 (biànhù)` vs. `辩解 (biànjiě)`: This is the most critical distinction for learners.
  • 辩护 (biànhù) is a formal defense against an external accusation, often on behalf of someone else (like a lawyer for a client) or oneself in a serious matter. It implies a structured argument.
  • 辩解 (biànjiě) means “to explain oneself” or “to make an excuse.” It's personal, often carries a negative connotation of being defensive, and is used to justify one's own actions, especially when one is at fault.
  • Correct: 律师为他辩护。(The lawyer defends him.)
  • Incorrect: 律师为他辩解。
  • Correct: 他迟到了，然后开始辩解。(He was late, and then started making excuses.)
  • Incorrect: 他迟到了，然后开始辩护。
• `辩护` is not for all types of “defending”: In English, “defend” is very broad. You can “defend a championship title” or “defend a castle from attack.” 辩护 (biànhù) is only for defending with words and arguments. For physical protection, you would use `保护 (bǎohù)` or `防守 (fángshǒu)`.

• 律师 (lǜshī) - Lawyer. The professional who performs 辩护.
• 辩解 (biànjiě) - To explain oneself; to make an excuse. A crucial point of contrast; a more personal and often less formal justification.
• 辩论 (biànlùn) - To debate. This involves two opposing sides arguing, whereas 辩护 is a one-sided act of protection.
• 保护 (bǎohù) - To protect. This usually refers to physical or general protection, not verbal defense in an argument.
• 法院 (fǎyuàn) - Courthouse; court. The primary setting where a legal 辩护 takes place.
• 被告 (bèigào) - The defendant. The person in a legal case who receives the 辩护.
• 指控 (zhǐkòng) - To accuse; an accusation. The action that creates the need for 辩护.
• 证据 (zhèngjù) - Evidence. The material used to build a strong 辩护.
• 解释 (jiěshì) - To explain. A neutral term for making something clear. It lacks the “defensive” or “excuse-making” feel of `辩解` and the formal, legalistic feel of `辩护`.