‘答辯’ (dá biàn) literally combines ‘答’ (to answer, respond) and ‘辯’ (to debate, argue, or defend a position). Together, it refers to a formal, structured oral defense—most commonly in academic settings—where a student presents and justifies their research, thesis, or dissertation before a panel of faculty members. It emphasizes reasoned argumentation and responding to critical questions under scrutiny.

This term is deeply embedded in Chinese higher education culture and carries strong connotations of intellectual rigor, accountability, and scholarly maturity. While it can occasionally appear in legal or policy contexts (e.g., defending a proposal), its overwhelming usage is tied to graduation requirements at universities and research institutes. Unlike casual debate (辯論), 答辯 implies asymmetry: the presenter defends their work against expert evaluators, not peer-to-peer discussion.