bút chiến
Definition
Noun:
- A war of words; a polemic; a written debate: A fierce, public argument or dispute conducted through writing, often in newspapers, journals, or books, where opposing sides attack each other's ideas.
- A literary feud; a paper war: A prolonged and bitter conflict between writers, critics, or intellectuals expressed in published texts.
Verb (less common):
- To engage in a war of words; to polemicize: To participate in a fierce written debate or controversy.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- Hai nhà văn đã tham gia vào một cuộc bút chiến kéo dài hàng tháng trời. (The two writers engaged in a war of words that lasted for months.)
- Cuộc bút chiến đó trên báo đã thu hút sự chú ý của công chúng. (That polemic in the newspaper attracted public attention.)
Verb:
- Họ tiếp tục bút chiến về vấn đề cải cách. (They continued to polemicize about the reform issue.)
Advanced Usage
- The term often implies a high level of intellectual or ideological conflict, not just a simple disagreement. It is typically used in contexts involving journalism, literature, politics, or academia.
Variants and Related Words
- Tranh luận (v/n): to debate; a debate. (A more general and neutral term for debate or discussion.)
- Tranh cãi (v/n): to argue; an argument. (Implies a dispute or quarrel, can be oral or written.)
- Phê bình (v/n): to criticize; criticism. (Can be part of a but is not the conflict itself.)
Synonyms
- Polemic: A strong verbal or written attack on someone or something.
- War of words: A prolonged exchange of angry or hostile statements.
- Literary feud: A prolonged conflict between writers.
- Controversy: Prolonged public disagreement or heated discussion.
Related Idioms
- While itself is a specific term, it relates to the concept of:
- Dùng ngòi bút làm vũ khí: To use the pen as a weapon. (Describes the act of writing as a tool for attack in a debate.)
- Trong cuộc bút chiến, họ dùng ngòi bút làm vũ khí. (In the war of words, they used their pens as weapons.)