二項対立(にこうたいりつ)

にこうたいりつ
noun
binary opposition, dichotomy
formalwrittenacademicabstract
1. binary opposition, dichotomy
A framework that divides things into two opposing categories. Used in academic, philosophical, and general discussion to describe black-and-white thinking or contrasting pairs.
善(ぜん)と悪(あく)の二項対立(にこうたいりつ)。
The binary opposition of good and evil.
問題(もんだい)を二項対立(にこうたいりつ)で考(かんが)えるのは危険(きけん)だ。
It's dangerous to think about problems in terms of binary opposition.
この議論(ぎろん)は単純(たんじゅん)な二項対立(にこうたいりつ)に収(おさ)まらない複雑(ふくざつ)な問題(もんだい)を含(ふく)んでいる。
This debate involves complex issues that don't fit into a simple dichotomy.

Usage

二項対立(にこうたいりつ) is used in academic and intellectual discussion, as well as in media commentary. It often appears when criticizing oversimplified arguments.

Common collocations

Related Words

Related: 二者択一(にしゃたくいつ) (either-or choice, binary choice)
general
Added 2026.2.10 9:31 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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