谈判 (tánpàn)

谈判 refers to formal negotiations between parties seeking to reach an agreement, and is indispensable in diplomatic, business, labor, and international relations contexts.

Meanings

[verb] to negotiate
[noun] negotiation; talks

Example Sentences

两国已展开贸易谈判，力求达成协议。 Liǎng guó yǐ zhǎnkāi màoyì tánpàn, lìqiú dáchéng xiéyì. The two countries have launched trade negotiations, striving to reach an agreement.

这场谈判持续了整整三天三夜。 Zhè chǎng tánpàn chíxù le zhěngzhěng sān tiān sān yè. These negotiations lasted a full three days and three nights.

资方与工会代表正在就薪资问题进行谈判。 Zīfāng yǔ gōnghuì dàibiǎo zhèngzài jiù xīnzī wèntí jìnxíng tánpàn. Management and union representatives are negotiating over salary issues.

他是公司的首席谈判代表，经验丰富。 Tā shì gōngsī de shǒuxí tánpàn dàibiǎo, jīngyàn fēngfù. He is the company's chief negotiator with extensive experience.

谈判破裂后，双方均表示失望。 Tánpàn pòliè hòu, shuāngfāng jūn biǎoshì shīwàng. After the negotiations broke down, both sides expressed disappointment.

外交谈判是解决国际争端的重要途径。 Wàijiāo tánpàn shì jiějué guójì zhēngduān de zhòngyào tújìng. Diplomatic negotiations are an important means of resolving international disputes.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
贸易谈判 (màoyì tánpàn)	trade negotiations
外交谈判 (wàijiāo tánpàn)	diplomatic talks
谈判桌 (tánpàn zhuō)	negotiating table
谈判破裂 (tánpàn pòliè)	breakdown of negotiations
谈判代表 (tánpàn dàibiǎo)	negotiating representative

Usage Notes

谈判 is a formal term used for structured, often bilateral or multilateral discussions aimed at reaching an agreement. It is distinct from 协商 (xiéshāng, to consult/discuss informally) and 讨论 (tǎolùn, to discuss generally). 谈判 implies higher stakes and often involves parties with competing interests.

The phrase 谈判桌 (negotiating table) is often used figuratively to refer to the negotiation process itself: 回到谈判桌 (to return to the negotiating table).

Memory Hook

谈 (to talk/discuss) + 判 (to judge/decide): talking with the aim of making a decision -- to negotiate.