Japanese meaning of 百家争鳴
Reading:
ひゃっかそうめい (hyakka soumei)
English Translation:
Lively contention of many schools of thought
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
“Let a hundred schools contend”: lively coexistence of diverse views.
多様な学派・立場が自由闊達に議論すること。
Cultural Context:
Appears around academic debates and media panels; also alludes to China’s “Hundred Flowers” period—modern Japanese usage is broadly positive toward pluralism.
学会討論や討論番組の枕詞として用いられる。中国の「百花斉放・百家争鳴」への連想もありつつ、日本語では多様性を肯定する文脈が多い。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• Noun phrase meaning “hundreds of schools contending,” often with “の議論” to describe vigorous debate.
Trap for English Speakers
May be misread as a literal fight between schools rather than ideological competition.
Example
Basic Example
シンポジウムでは百家争鳴の議論が繰り広げられた。
The symposium saw a lively contention of many schools of thought.
Applied Example
学会では百家争鳴の議論が繰り広げられた。
At the conference, lively contention among many schools of thought took place.