When combined, 论文 (lùnwén) literally translates to “discussion writing” or “discourse text.” This perfectly captures the essence of a thesis or academic paper: a formal, written discussion based on evidence and reasoning.
In Western education, a “term paper” is a common assignment, and a “thesis” is often reserved for graduate students or undergraduate honors programs. In China, the concept of 论文 holds a more universal and high-stakes significance, especially the 毕业论文 (bìyè lùnwén), or “graduation thesis.” For nearly every university student in China, completing a 毕业论文 is a mandatory, non-negotiable requirement for graduation. It's not just another assignment; it's a final, comprehensive project that spans the last semester or even the entire final year. This process involves choosing a topic, being assigned a 导师 (dǎoshī) or advisor, conducting research, writing tens of thousands of characters, and finally, undergoing a formal 答辩 (dábiàn) or thesis defense in front of a panel of professors. This system reflects a cultural emphasis on demonstrating a complete body of knowledge before earning a degree. The pressure surrounding the 论文 is immense and is a shared experience and common point of complaint among all Chinese university students. It's a rite of passage that tests not only their academic skills but also their endurance and ability to “eat bitterness” (吃苦 chīkǔ), a highly valued trait.
论文 (lùnwén) is a formal term used almost exclusively in academic and research contexts. You will hear it constantly in university life and in professional research institutions.
The most common mistake for English speakers is confusing 论文 (lùnwén) with 文章 (wénzhāng).
Think of it this way: All 论文 are a type of 文章, but not all 文章 are 论文. Using 论文 for a non-academic piece of writing is a common learner error that sounds unnatural.