争点(そうてん)

争点(そうてん) refers to the specific point or matter at the center of a dispute, debate, or legal case. Combines 争(そう) (dispute) + 点(てん) (point).

Common collocations

• 争点(そうてん)となる (become a contested point)
• 争点(そうてん)を絞(しぼ)る (narrow down the issues)
• 最大(さいだい)の争点(そうてん) (biggest point of contention)
• 選挙(せんきょ)の争点(そうてん) (election issue)
• 裁判(さいばん)の争点(そうてん) (point at issue in a trial)

Similar words

• 論点(ろんてん): point of discussion/argument (more neutral, about what is being discussed)
• 問題点(もんだいてん): problem point (focuses on what is wrong)
• 焦点(しょうてん): focal point (where attention is concentrated)
• 争点(そうてん) specifically implies disagreement or contention between opposing sides

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Formal. Used primarily in news, politics, and legal contexts.