协调

• Pinyin: xié tiáo
• Hanzi breakdown: 协 = 十 (ten) + 办 (to do) — many working together; 调 = 讠(speech) + 周 (complete)

Meaning

To coordinate; to harmonize; coordinated; harmonious. Bringing different elements into balanced cooperation.

Used both as a verb meaning to coordinate activities or parties, and as an adjective describing harmony or balance. Common in organizational contexts for managing cooperation between departments, in aesthetics for describing visual harmony, and in physical contexts for body coordination.

Examples

1. 这个项目需要各部门协调配合才能顺利完成。 This project requires coordination among all departments to be completed smoothly.
2. 她的穿搭颜色协调，整体造型很有品味。 Her outfit colors are well-coordinated, and the overall look is quite tasteful.
3. 我们需要找一个人来协调各方的利益，避免冲突。 We need to find someone to coordinate the interests of all parties and avoid conflict.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, organization, aesthetics

Tone: professional

Do Say

• 请协调好各方时间。(Please coordinate everyone's schedules.)
• 这套家具和房间很协调。(This furniture goes well with the room.)

Don't Say

• 我协调他来帮忙。(协调 means coordinating activities/parties, not directly asking someone — use 请 or 安排)

Origin & History

Compound of 协 (to unite, to assist) and 调 (to adjust, to tune). Together they mean bringing different elements into harmonious alignment.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal