讨论
tǎolùn · HSK 2
to discuss
💬 讨论 = 讨 (ask for) + 论 (discuss) → ask-and-debate together
讨 means to request or demand, 论 means to discuss or theorize. Together they describe a back-and-forth exchange where people request views and weigh arguments — a discussion.
讨 — speech radical 讠 + inch 寸
A semantic-phonetic compound combining 讠 (speech) with 寸 (a hand/measure), suggesting demanding or seeking through words. The original sense was to denounce or punish verbally, which broadened over time to mean 'to demand,' 'to ask for,' and 'to discuss.' Modern uses like 讨论 (discuss) and 讨厌 (detest) reflect this range.