调解

• Pinyin: tiáo jiě
• Hanzi breakdown: 调 = 讠(speech) + 周 (complete), harmonize; 解 = 角 (horn) + 刀 (knife) + 牛 (ox), to untie

Meaning

To mediate; to reconcile; to help resolve disputes between parties.

Used when a third party helps settle a dispute or conflict between two or more parties. Common in legal, community, and interpersonal contexts. Unlike 调节 which adjusts conditions, 调解 specifically involves intervention in human conflicts. A key mechanism in Chinese dispute resolution.

Examples

1. 邻里之间有矛盾，居委会会出面调解。 When there are conflicts between neighbors, the neighborhood committee will step in to mediate.
2. 双方经过调解后达成了和解协议。 After mediation, both parties reached a settlement agreement.
3. 法院鼓励当事人先尝试调解，避免不必要的诉讼。 The court encourages parties to try mediation first to avoid unnecessary litigation.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, community, conflict resolution

Tone: diplomatic

Do Say

• 请第三方来调解。(Ask a third party to mediate.)
• 调解失败了，只能上法庭。(Mediation failed; we can only go to court.)

Don't Say

• 调解温度 — use 调节 for adjusting settings; 调解 is specifically for resolving disputes between people

Origin & History

Compound of 调 (to adjust/harmonize) + 解 (to untie/resolve), meaning to harmonize and resolve.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal