妥协

• Pinyin: tuǒ xié
• Hanzi breakdown: 妥 = 爪 (hand from above) + 女 (woman); 协 = 十 (ten, many) + 办 (manage, arrange) — many parties managing together

Meaning

To compromise; to make concessions; to reach a middle ground. Finding an acceptable settlement by both sides giving up something.

Can be positive (pragmatic compromise to resolve a stalemate) or negative (compromising on principles). In political and negotiation contexts, 妥协 is often presented as both necessary and dangerous. The phrase 绝不妥协 (never compromise) is a common rhetorical assertion. Chinese culture historically values harmony, so 妥协 is often seen as a mature response to conflict.

Examples

1. 经过漫长谈判，双方终于达成妥协，签署了和平协议。 After lengthy negotiations, both sides finally reached a compromise and signed a peace agreement.
2. 他是个原则性很强的人，在道德问题上从不妥协。 He is a man of strong principles and never compromises on moral issues.
3. 为了维护这段关系，她不得不在一些细节上做出妥协。 To preserve the relationship, she had no choice but to make concessions on some details.

Usage Guide

Context: negotiation, relationship, politics, professional

Tone: pragmatic

Do Say

• 双方都做出了妥协，才有了今天的合作协议。(Both sides made compromises, which is how today's cooperation agreement came about.)
• 在艺术风格上，他绝不愿意向商业需求妥协。(When it comes to artistic style, he is absolutely unwilling to compromise for commercial demands.)

Don't Say

• 把单方面让步称为'妥协' (妥协 implies mutual concession; one party simply giving in is 退让, not 妥协)

Origin & History

Compound of 妥 (settle, proper) + 协 (cooperate, agree). Together convey 'settling through cooperation,' i.e., reaching a mutually agreeable middle ground.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal