Chinese word

商量

Pronunciation

Pinyinshāng liáng

Meaning

  • verbdiscuss

Example

我们可以商量一下这个计划吗？wǒ men ké yǐ shāng liáng yí xià zhè ge jì huà ma

Can we discuss this plan?

Illustration for 商量 (discuss)

More examples

我想跟你商量这件事。wǒ xiǎng gēn nǐ shāng liáng zhè jiàn shì

I want to discuss this matter with you.

Core concept

Different people place their ideas on the same table, compare them, and work toward one plan.

Common phrases

  • 跟他商量gēn tā shāng liáng

    discuss with him

  • 商量这件事shāng liáng zhè jiàn shì

    discuss this matter

  • 跟老板商量gēn láo bǎn shāng liáng

    discuss with the boss

Similar words

讨论tǎo lùn: Share ideas about an issue with others to develop a conclusion or plan.

Definition in Chinese

与别人一起讨论问题，听取建议以决定下一步的处理办法。yǔ bié rén yì qǐ tǎo lùn wèn tí tīng qǔ jiàn yì yǐ jué dìng xià yí bù de chú lǐ bàn fǎ

Word origin

商 (shāng, "discuss") + 量 (liáng, "weigh") connects talking with carefully weighing possible choices.

Usage tips

  • In a family or classroom, this word can soften a proposal because it leaves room for other people to add reasons before the group chooses.

Other meanings

  • consultnoun
  • negotiateverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word