区别辨析controversy、argument、conflict、debate、dispute、quarrel与strife

controversy、argument、conflict、debate、dispute、quarrel与strife这组名词均有“争执、不和”之意。

controversy : 侧重指深刻的意见分歧,多指对引起广泛兴趣或非常重要的问题的辨论。

  • There was a big controversy surrounding/over the use of drugs in athletics.
    体育界对使用违禁药物争议很大。
  • The policy has caused fierce/heated controversy ever since it was introduced.
    这项政策自推行以来已引起了激烈的争论。

argument : 指辩论双方均以事实或理由来说服对方的辨论。

  • The children had an argument about/over what game to play.
    孩子们为了玩哪个游戏吵了起来。
  • He got into an argument with Jeff in the pub last night.
    昨晚他和杰夫在酒馆里起了争执。

conflict : 指双方坚持已见、互不妥协,怀有敌意的争论,多暗示分歧极为严重,有时用语言无法解决,只得诉诸武力。

  • There was a lot of conflict between him and his father.
    他和父亲之间存在着许多分歧。
  • It was an unpopular policy and caused a number of conflicts within the party.
    这项政策不得人心,在党内引起了很多分歧。

debate : 通常指经过仔细组织和计划的个人或团体之间的辩论。

  • Education is the current focus of public debate.
    教育是目前大众谈论的焦点。
  • How we proceed from here is a matter for debate.
    我们下一步怎样做还需要讨论。

dispute : 普通用词,侧重指长时间,言词激烈,针锋相对的争辩。

  • a bitter/long-running dispute
    激烈/长期的争执
  • a border dispute
    边界争端
  • a pay/legal/trade dispute
    工资/法律/贸易纠纷

quarrel : 普通用词,既可指言词激烈的争吵,也可指温和的言词上的不和。

  • They had a bitter quarrel about/over some money three years ago and they haven't spoken to each other since.
    他们3年前因为钱的问题有过一次激烈争吵,从此以后就互不理睬了。

strife : 指因不可缓和的矛盾而引起的争吵或斗殴。

  • What are the prospects for overcoming the strife between the Christian minority and Muslim majority?
    解决基督教少数派和穆斯林多数派之间冲突的前景如何?
  • 20 years of civil strife have left the country's economy in ruins.
    20年的内战使该国经济满目疮痍。