商量 (shāngliang) — to discuss; to consult; to talk over

商量 (shāngliang)

商量 describes the informal process of talking something through with another person in order to reach a shared decision or understanding.

Meanings

1. [verb] To discuss, to consult, to talk over, to deliberate together.

Example Sentences

在做出这么重大的决定之前，他应该先和家人好好商量一下。 Zài zuòchū zhème zhòngdà de juédìng zhīqián, tā yīnggāi xiān hé jiārén hǎohǎo shāngliang yīxià. Before making such an important decision, he should first discuss it thoroughly with his family.

合同的条款还需要双方进一步商量，目前尚未达成最终协议。 Hétong de tiáokuǎn hái xūyào shuāngfāng jìnyībù shāngliang, mùqián shàngwèi dáchéng zuìzhōng xiéyì. The contract terms still need further discussion between both parties; a final agreement has not yet been reached.

遇到困难时，她总是愿意和同事商量，共同寻找解决方案。 Yù dào kùnnán shí, tā zǒng shì yuànyì hé tóngshì shāngliang, gòngtóng xúnzhǎo jiějué fāng'àn. When she encounters difficulties, she is always willing to discuss them with colleagues and jointly find solutions.

他们商量了很久，最终决定推迟婚礼的日期。 Tāmen shāngliang le hěn jiǔ, zuìzhōng juédìng tuīchí hūnlǐ de rìqī. They talked it over for a long time and ultimately decided to postpone the wedding date.

Collocations

Usage Notes

商量 is notably informal and interpersonal. It implies a collaborative, mutual discussion rather than a formal negotiation. The pattern 和/跟...商量 (to discuss with someone) is the standard construction. Compare with 讨论 (tǎolùn — to discuss), which is more formal and broader in scope, and 协商 (xiéshāng — to negotiate), which carries a more official, procedural tone.

Memory Hook

商 means "merchant/trade" and 量 means "to measure" — merchants carefully measuring and weighing terms together is the picture of mutual deliberation.