Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== xiéshāng: 协商 - To Consult, To Negotiate, To Discuss ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** 协商, xieshang, what does xieshang mean, negotiate in Chinese, consult in Chinese, discussion in Chinese, Chinese business negotiation, formal discussion, reach agreement in Chinese, 协商 vs 讨论, Chinese business culture, collaborative negotiation. * **Summary:** The Chinese word **协商 (xiéshāng)** translates to "negotiate" or "consult," but it carries a deep cultural meaning of collaborative, harmonious discussion aimed at reaching a mutual agreement. Unlike the often adversarial nature of Western negotiation, `协商` emphasizes finding a win-win solution that preserves relationships. This term is crucial for understanding formal contexts in China, from business deals and diplomatic talks to legal mediation, reflecting a cultural preference for cooperation over confrontation. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** xiéshāng * **Part of Speech:** Verb / Noun * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 * **Concise Definition:** To consult or negotiate with others in a cooperative manner to resolve an issue or reach a consensus. * **In a Nutshell:** Think of `协商` not just as a discussion, but as a structured, purposeful conversation between two or more parties who are trying to build something together. It's the verbal equivalent of putting pieces of a puzzle together collaboratively. The core feeling is one of mutual respect and a shared goal, making it more about "how can we solve this together?" rather than "how can I win?" ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **协 (xié):** This character means to harmonize, cooperate, or assist. It is composed of 十 (shí - ten) and 力 (lì - power/effort). One way to remember it is as "many forces (ten is a stand-in for 'many') coming together" to achieve a common goal. It points to a sense of unity and combined effort. * **商 (shāng):** This character means to discuss, consult, or commerce/business. Its ancient origins are linked to the Shang Dynasty, but for a learner, it's best to associate it directly with business and discussion. * When combined, **协商 (xiéshāng)** literally means "to cooperate through discussion" or "to discuss in harmony." This beautifully captures its essence: a negotiation built on a foundation of cooperation, especially in a formal or commercial context. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== * `协商` is a cornerstone of professional and formal interactions in China, deeply rooted in the cultural value of **和谐 (héxié) - harmony**. The goal is not just to get the best deal for oneself, but to find a solution that allows all parties to maintain **面子 (miànzi) - "face"** or social dignity, and preserve the long-term **关系 (guānxi) - relationship**. * **Comparison with Western "Negotiation":** In many Western cultures, negotiation can be viewed as a zero-sum game—a battle of wills where one side's gain is the other's loss. It can be direct, confrontational, and legally driven. `协商`, in contrast, is fundamentally a relationship-building process. It is often slower, more indirect, and focuses on understanding the other party's needs to find a middle ground. Making a concession (**让步 - ràngbù**) is not seen as a sign of weakness, but as a necessary step to build trust and achieve a harmonious outcome. * This approach means that in a Chinese business context, the `协商` process itself—the meals, the small talk, the building of rapport—is often as important as the final terms of the contract. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== * `协商` is a formal word used in specific, non-casual contexts. Using it for everyday decisions would sound strange and overly serious. * **In Business and the Workplace:** This is the most common environment for `协商`. * Negotiating prices: `我们可以协商一下价格。(Wǒmen kěyǐ xiéshāng yīxià jiàgé.)` - We can negotiate the price a bit. * Discussing contract terms, project details, or partnerships between companies. * **In Diplomacy and Politics:** It is the standard term for talks between government bodies or countries. * `两国代表正在就贸易问题进行协商。(Liǎng guó dàibiǎo zhèngzài jiù màoyì wèntí jìnxíng xiéshāng.)` - Representatives from the two countries are currently in consultation regarding trade issues. * **In Legal and Formal Disputes:** It is used for mediation or trying to reach a settlement out of court. * `他们决定通过协商解决这个纠纷。(Tāmen juédìng tōngguò xiéshāng jiějué zhège jiūfēn.)` - They decided to resolve this dispute through consultation. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 经过友好**协商**，双方达成了一致。 * Pinyin: Jīngguò yǒuhǎo **xiéshāng**, shuāngfāng dáchéngle yīzhì. * English: After friendly negotiations, both sides reached an agreement. * Analysis: This is a classic, formal sentence you might see in a business press release. "友好协商" (friendly negotiation) emphasizes the harmonious, cooperative nature of the process. * **Example 2:** * 这个问题的解决方案需要我们共同**协商**。 * Pinyin: Zhège wèntí de jiějué fāng'àn xūyào wǒmen gòngtóng **xiéshāng**. * English: The solution to this problem requires us to consult together. * Analysis: This highlights the collaborative aspect of `协商`. The word `共同` (gòngtóng - jointly, together) is a natural partner for `协商`. * **Example 3:** * 我们需要和供应商**协商**一下交货日期。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào hé gōngyìngshāng **xiéshāng** yīxià jiāohuò rìqī. * English: We need to negotiate the delivery date with the supplier. * Analysis: A very practical example of everyday business usage. It's a formal, goal-oriented discussion with an external partner. * **Example 4:** * 这个问题不能一个人决定，必须大家**协商**解决。 * Pinyin: Zhège wèntí bùnéng yīgè rén juédìng, bìxū dàjiā **xiéshāng** jiějué. * English: This issue cannot be decided by one person; it must be resolved through everyone's consultation. * Analysis: This shows `协商` being used within a group or organization to reach a consensus on an important matter. * **Example 5:** * 由于双方在关键条款上无法达成**协商**，谈判破裂了。 * Pinyin: Yóuyú shuāngfāng zài guānjiàn tiáokuǎn shàng wúfǎ dáchéng **xiéshāng**, tánpàn pòlièle. * English: Because the two sides could not reach a negotiated agreement on key clauses, the talks broke down. * Analysis: This example shows `协商` can also be the *result* or *state* of agreement. Here, `无法达成协商` means "unable to achieve a negotiated consensus." * **Example 6:** * 董事会正在**协商**公司的未来发展方向。 * Pinyin: Dǒngshìhuì zhèngzài **xiéshāng** gōngsī de wèilái fāzhǎn fāngxiàng. * English: The board of directors is deliberating on the future direction of the company. * Analysis: This illustrates a high-level, formal internal discussion about strategic matters. "Deliberating" is a good translation here. * **Example 7:** * 离婚前，他们试图通过律师**协商**财产分割问题。 * Pinyin: Líhūn qián, tāmen shìtú tōngguò lǜshī **xiéshāng** cáichǎn fēngē wèntí. * English: Before the divorce, they attempted to negotiate the division of assets through their lawyers. * Analysis: This shows `协商` in a legal context. It implies a formal mediation process rather than an emotional argument. * **Example 8:** * 这个项目需要与相关部门进行充分**协商**。 * Pinyin: Zhège xiàngmù xūyào yǔ xiāngguān bùmén jìnxíng chōngfèn **xiéshāng**. * English: This project requires full consultation with the relevant departments. * Analysis: Common in government or large corporations. `进行协商` (jìnxíng xiéshāng - to carry out consultations) is a very common formal collocation. * **Example 9:** * 这份合同是多次**协商**的结果。 * Pinyin: Zhè fèn hétóng shì duōcì **xiéshāng** de jiéguǒ. * English: This contract is the result of multiple rounds of negotiations. * Analysis: Here, `协商` is used as a noun, referring to the process of negotiation itself. * **Example 10:** * 我们本着合作共赢的精神进行**协商**。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen běnzhe hézuò gòngyíng de jīngshén jìnxíng **xiéshāng**. * English: We are conducting these negotiations in the spirit of cooperation and mutual benefit (win-win). * Analysis: This sentence perfectly encapsulates the cultural ideal behind `协商`. The goal is `合作共赢` (hézuò gòngyíng - a win-win cooperation). ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * The most common mistake for learners is using `协商` in casual situations where a more informal word is appropriate. The key is to distinguish it from `商量 (shāngliang)` and `讨论 (tǎolùn)`. * **协商 (xiéshāng):** Formal. Cooperative negotiation to reach an agreement. (Business, diplomacy, legal). * **讨论 (tǎolùn):** Neutral formality. To discuss or debate a topic. The goal is to exchange ideas, not necessarily to reach a single decision. (e.g., a class discussion, discussing a movie). * **商量 (shāngliang):** Informal. To talk something over, usually between friends, family, or equals, to make a decision. (e.g., discussing where to go for dinner). * **Incorrect Usage Example:** * `晚上吃什么，我们协商一下吧？` (Wǎnshàng chī shénme, wǒmen xiéshāng yīxià ba?) * **Why it's wrong:** This sounds comically formal, as if you are about to sign a treaty about your dinner plans. * **Correct Usage:** `晚上吃什么，我们商量一下吧？` (Wǎnshàng chī shénme, wǒmen shāngliang yīxià ba?) - Let's talk over what to eat tonight. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[谈判]] (tánpàn) - To negotiate. This is a closer synonym to the English "negotiation" and can imply a more adversarial, competitive process where parties have clear opposing interests, like in a hostage situation or a tough salary negotiation. * [[商量]] (shāngliang) - The informal version of `协商`. Used among equals to "talk something over." * [[讨论]] (tǎolùn) - To discuss. A general-purpose term for talking about a subject, less focused on reaching a final agreement than `协商`. * [[协议]] (xiéyì) - An agreement or protocol. This is often the noun that results from a successful `协商`. * [[合作]] (hézuò) - To cooperate. This is the spirit and often the prerequisite for a successful `协商`. * [[沟通]] (gōutōng) - To communicate. The fundamental action required for any discussion, including `协商`. * [[和谐]] (héxié) - Harmony. The core cultural value that underpins the preference for the `协商` model. * [[让步]] (ràngbù) - To make a concession. A key tactic and sign of goodwill within the `协商` process.