洽谈

• Pinyin: qià tán
• Hanzi breakdown: 洽 = 氵(water) + 合 (join/combine) (harmonious, congenial — flowing together); 谈 = 讠(speech) + 炎 (flame/double fire) (to speak/discuss with fervour)

Meaning

To negotiate; to hold talks; to discuss business matters. To engage in formal discussions or negotiations, especially for business or diplomatic purposes.

A formal term for business or official negotiations. 洽谈合作 (negotiate a cooperation agreement), 洽谈业务 (discuss business), 洽谈会 (business negotiation fair). Used in business, diplomacy, and official contexts. More formal and purposeful than 商量 or 讨论.

Examples

1. 代表团抵达北京后随即与对方展开了为期三天的深入洽谈，就合作框架的核心条款进行详细磋商。 After arriving in Beijing, the delegation immediately began three days of in-depth talks with the other side, holding detailed consultations on the core terms of the cooperation framework.
2. 公司派出了由董事长亲自带队的商务代表团，赴欧洲与多家潜在合作伙伴展开正式洽谈。 The company sent a business delegation led personally by the chairman to Europe for formal talks with several potential partners.
3. 这次广交会吸引了来自全球一百二十个国家的采购商，为国内企业洽谈出口业务提供了绝佳平台。 This Canton Fair attracted buyers from 120 countries worldwide, providing domestic companies with an excellent platform to negotiate export business.

Usage Guide

Context: business, diplomacy, trade, official

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 双方代表经过多轮磋商后终于就关键条款达成一致，为正式签署协议奠定了坚实的基础。(After multiple rounds of negotiations, the representatives of both sides finally reached consensus on key terms, laying a solid foundation for formally signing the agreement.)
• 这家初创企业正在积极与多家风险投资机构洽谈融资事宜，计划在年底前完成本轮融资目标。(This start-up is actively negotiating with several venture capital firms regarding financing — it plans to complete this funding round before the end of the year.)

Don't Say

• 我和朋友洽谈了下午的计划 — 洽谈 is for formal business or official negotiations; use 聊/商量/讨论 for casual discussions with friends

Origin & History

洽 (congenial/harmonious) + 谈 (talk/discuss) — to talk in a congenial, harmonious manner aimed at reaching agreement

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal