Definition
磋商 (cuō shāng) refers to formal, serious discussions or negotiations, typically in diplomatic, official, or high-level business settings. It is more formal than 商量 (everyday talk) and less adversarial than 谈判 (negotiation between opposing sides). It is very close to 协商 and 商议, but 磋商 often implies a deeper, more thorough consultation.
verb
to hold formal discussionsto consult seriouslyto negotiate (in an official or diplomatic setting)
Examples
- 磋商。Liǎng guó dàibiǎo jiù màoyì wèntí jìnxíng le shēnrù cuō shāng.Representatives from the two countries conducted in-depth consultations on trade issues.
- 磋商，。Jīngguò duōcì cuō shāng, shuāngfāng zhōngyú qiāndìng le hézuò xiéyì.After multiple rounds of negotiations, the two sides finally signed a cooperation agreement.
- 磋商。Zhè cì de cuō shāng duì jiějué chángqī zhēngyì zhìguān zhòngyào.This round of consultations is crucial to resolving the long-standing dispute.
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