Rebuttal, Agreement, Partial Agreement

The heart of debate is the ability to respond to opposing views. Knowing when to fully rebut, fully agree, or partially agree, and expressing each appropriately, is the mark of an expert speaker.

Rebuttal Expressions

When rebutting, point out the flaw in the logic rather than attacking the person. Use patterns such as "그 논리에는 한 가지 문제가 있습니다" (there is one problem with that logic) and "그 주장은 ~을 간과하고 있습니다" (that argument overlooks...).

그 주장은 현실적인 비용 문제를 간과하고 있다고 봅니다.

geu jujangeun hyeonsiljeogin biyong munjereul gangwahago itdago bomnida.

I believe that argument overlooks the practical issue of cost.

그 논리에는 한 가지 결정적인 허점이 있습니다.

geu nollie-neun han gaji gyeoljeongjeogin heojeomi itseumnida.

There is one decisive flaw in that logic.

근거로 제시하신 자료의 출처가 불분명하다고 생각합니다.

geungeoro jesihasin jaryoui chulcheoga bulbunmyeonghadago saenggakhamnida.

I think the source of the data you presented as evidence is unclear.

Agreement Expressions

그 점에 대해서는 전적으로 공감하며, 같은 맥락에서 한 가지 덧붙이겠습니다.

geu jeome daehaeseoneun jeonjeogeuro gonggamhamyeo, gateun maengnaegeseo han gaji deotbuchigetseumnida.

I fully agree on that point, and I'd like to add one thing in the same vein.

Partial Agreement

Partial agreement uses concessive clauses such as "~라는 점은 인정합니다만, ~" (I grant that..., but...). It is a polished, cooperative way to hold your ground while conceding part of the point.

그 취지에는 동의합니다만, 실행 방식에는 의문이 남습니다.

geu chwijieneun donguihamnidaman, sirhaeng bangsigeneun uimuni namseumnida.

I agree with the intent, but I still have doubts about how it would be carried out.

원칙에는 공감하나, 적용 범위에 대해서는 이견이 있습니다.

wonchigeneun gonggamhana, jeogyong beomwie daehaeseoneun igyeoni itseumnida.

I share the principle, but I differ on the scope of its application.

Conceding then Counter-Arguing

Experts first acknowledge the valid part of an opponent's point, then pivot to the core rebuttal. The flow "~은 분명 맞습니다. 다만 ~" (that is certainly true; however...) is the most effective.

지적하신 위험은 분명 맞습니다. 다만 그 대가가 더 큽니다.

jijeokhasin wiheomeun bunmyeong matseumnida. daman geu daega-ga deo keumnida.

The risk you pointed out is certainly real. However, the cost of inaction outweighs it.

Type	Key Expression
Rebuttal	~을 간과하고 있습니다 / ~에는 문제가 있습니다
Agreement	전적으로 공감합니다 / 같은 생각입니다
Partial	~은 인정합니다만 / ~라는 점에서는 동의하나
Concede-pivot	~은 분명 맞습니다. 다만 ~

💡 Tip: Partial agreement is one of the most persuasive strategies in debate. Acknowledging the valid part of an opponent's point first lends greater credibility to the rebuttal that follows.

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