协议

• Pinyin: xié yì
• Hanzi breakdown: 协 = 十 (ten) + 办 (to handle), meaning to cooperate; 议 = 讠 (speech) + 义 (meaning), meaning to discuss

Meaning

Agreement; protocol; accord. A formal arrangement or understanding between parties.

Used in legal, business, and diplomatic contexts. Can be a noun (the agreement itself) or a verb (to reach an agreement). Common collocations include 签订协议 (sign an agreement), 达成协议 (reach an agreement), and 协议离婚 (divorce by mutual consent).

Examples

1. 双方经过谈判，终于达成了协议。 After negotiations, both parties finally reached an agreement.
2. 我们需要签订一份正式的合作协议。 We need to sign a formal cooperation agreement.
3. 这个协议对双方都有约束力。 This agreement is binding on both parties.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, business

Tone: professional

Do Say

• 我们达成了初步协议。(We've reached a preliminary agreement.)
• 请仔细阅读协议条款。(Please read the agreement terms carefully.)

Don't Say

• 我和朋友有一个协议去吃饭 (Too formal — use 约好了 or 说好了 for casual plans)

Origin & History

Compound of 协 (to cooperate, harmonize) and 议 (to discuss), meaning a discussed agreement.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal