(shāng liáng) - to discuss, to talk over in Mandarin
shāngliángTraditional: 商量
Translation
to discuss, to talk over
Word origin
A compound of 商 (shāng, to consult, to trade) and 量 (liáng, to measure, to weigh up), so weighing a matter up together.
- Origin
- compound
- Root
- 商 (shāng, to consult) + 量 (liáng, to measure)
Stroke order
商
量
Examples
。
I need to talk this over with my family.
。
They discussed it for ages without reaching a result.
。
If there is a problem we can talk about it.
。
The price is still negotiable.
。
The teacher and the students decided to change the time after discussing it.
商量 (shāng liáng) is discussing something with a view to settling it. Two or more people put their heads together and come out with a decision, which is why it collocates so happily with 一下 and with 以后.
It differs from 讨论 in temperature. 讨论 is a seminar or a committee working through a topic; 商量 is you and your partner deciding which flat to take. It also carries a strong note of negotiability, so 还可以商量 is exactly how a seller signals that the price is not final.
Two things trip English speakers up. The second syllable is often reduced in speech to a neutral tone, so you will hear shāng liang; and the person you are consulting takes 和 or 跟, never a bare object. Say 我和他商量 or 我跟他商量, not 我商量他.
Where this fits
Used in
Grammar articles
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商量: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "商量" (to discuss, to talk over): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 57.