1.
goes without saying; is beyond dispute; is self-evident
Something is so obviously true that it does not need to be argued or debated. A formal expression used in writing and speeches to assert that a point is indisputable.
It is beyond dispute that his achievements were significant, but he also left problems behind.
A formal, literary expression meaning something is so obvious it needs no debate. The verb is 俟つ (to depend on, to require), so the expression literally means "does not require debate." It is usually written in hiragana; the spelling 論を待たない is also common.
Common patterns
- 〜ことは論をまたない: it goes without saying that
- 〜は論をまたないところだ: it is indisputable that
- 論をまたず: without needing to argue (adverbial form)
Similar words
- 言うまでもない: needless to say — the everyday equivalent, much more common in conversation
- 明らかだ: is obvious, is clear — simpler and more widely used
- 自明だ: is self-evident — formal, academic
- 論を俟たない: alternate kanji spelling using the classical character 俟つ
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Formal to very formal. Used in essays, editorials, speeches, and academic writing. Would sound stiff in casual conversation.