协调 (xiétiáo) — to coordinate, harmonious

协调 (xiétiáo)

协调 means to bring different elements, parties, or functions into alignment so they work together smoothly, or to describe a state where things are well-balanced and harmonious.

Meanings

1. [verb] to coordinate, to harmonize, to bring into alignment
2. [adjective] coordinated, harmonious, well-proportioned

Example Sentences

项目经理的主要职责之一是协调各部门之间的工作。 Xiàngmù jīnglǐ de zhǔyào zhízé zhī yī shì xiétiáo gè bùmén zhī jiān de gōngzuò. One of the main responsibilities of a project manager is to coordinate work between various departments.

良好的国际合作需要各国政府协调政策立场。 Liánghǎo de guójì hézuò xūyào gè guó zhèngfǔ xiétiáo zhèngcè lìchǎng. Good international cooperation requires governments to coordinate their policy positions.

这套家具的颜色和风格非常协调，整体感很强。 Zhè tào jiājù de yánsè hé fēnggé fēicháng xiétiáo, zhěngtǐ gǎn hěn qiáng. The colors and style of this furniture set are very harmonious, creating a strong sense of coherence.

他在项目中负责协调资源分配和进度管理。 Tā zài xiàngmù zhōng fùzé xiétiáo zīyuán fēnpèi hé jìndù guǎnlǐ. He is responsible for coordinating resource allocation and progress management in the project.

经济发展与环境保护之间的协调是可持续发展的关键。 Jīngjì fāzhǎn yǔ huánjìng bǎohù zhī jiān de xiétiáo shì kě chíxù fāzhǎn de guānjiàn. Coordination between economic development and environmental protection is the key to sustainable development.

政府成立了专门的协调机构来统筹管理这一跨部门项目。 Zhèngfǔ chénglì le zhuānmén de xiétiáo jīgòu lái tǒngchóu guǎnlǐ zhè yī kuà bùmén xiàngmù. The government established a dedicated coordination body to oversee this cross-departmental project.

Collocations

Usage Notes

协调 functions as both a verb (to coordinate) and an adjective (harmonious/well-balanced). As a verb, it appears in management, diplomacy, and organizational contexts. As an adjective, it describes visual or aesthetic harmony (颜色很协调, the colors are harmonious) or balanced development (协调发展, coordinated/balanced development).

协调 is closely related to 协商 (consultation) and 协作 (cooperation): 协商 emphasizes discussion to reach agreement; 协调 emphasizes making things work together smoothly; 协作 emphasizes working together on a common task.

Memory Hook

协 means "to cooperate" and 调 means "to adjust/tune" -- 协调 is tuning all the parts to cooperate together, like adjusting each instrument in an orchestra until they play in perfect harmony.