Chinese word

磋商

Pronunciation

Pinyincuō shāng

Meaning

  • verbconsult

Example

在做决定前我们要先磋商。zài zuò jué dìng qián wǒ men yào xiān cuō shāng

Before making a decision, we need to consult with each other first.

Illustration for 磋商 (consult)

More examples

专家们就方案细节磋商后提出了修改建议。zhuān jiā men jiù fāng àn xì jié cuō shāng hòu tí chū le xiū gǎi jiàn yì

After discussing the details of the plan, the experts proposed revisions.

Core concept

Moves a shared decision forward by testing proposals, revising details, and bringing different views into alignment.

Common phrases

  • 就此事磋商意见jiù cǐ shì cuō shāng yì jiàn

    discuss opinions on this matter

  • 与有关方面磋商yǔ yǒu guān fāng miàn cuō shāng

    consult with the relevant parties

  • 进行磋商jìn xíng cuō shāng

    hold discussions

Similar words

协商xié shāng: To work out conditions together and come to an agreement.
讨论tǎo lùn: To discuss a topic by sharing views and examining it more deeply.
商量shāng liáng: To consult each other about how or when to do something and make a decision.

Definition in Chinese

为形成一致意见或制定方案而进行反复讨论、提出修改意见并调整细节的协商行为。wèi xíng chéng yí zhì yì jiàn huò zhì dìng fāng àn ér jìn xíng fǎn fù tǎo lùn tí chū xiū gǎi yì jiàn bìng tiáo zhěng xì jié de xié shāng xíng wèi

Word origin

磋商 (cuōshāng, "consult") combines 磋 (cuō, "polish") with 商 (shāng, "discuss"), using the image of polishing a proposal through careful discussion.

Usage tips

  • Its formal tone fits official statements, business meetings, and policy documents more naturally than relaxed conversation, making register important when choosing it in everyday Chinese.

Other meanings

  • discussverb
  • negotiateverb

Opposites

  • 专断zhuān duànmake decisions arbitrarilyverb

Word lists with this word