折り合う

• Reading: おりあう
• Romaji: oriau
• Kanji breakdown: 折 (setsu/ori) — fold, yield, compromise; 合 (gou/a) — meet, mutual, combine
• Pronunciation: /o.ɾi.a.ɯ/

Meaning

To reach a compromise; to come to terms; to get along with; to reconcile differences.

A Group 1 (godan) compound verb from 折り (fold, yield) and 合う (mutually). Conjugates as 折り合わ-ない, 折り合い-ます. Often used in negotiations, labour disputes, or interpersonal conflict resolution. The noun 折り合い means a compromise or settlement.

Examples

1. 労使双方がようやく折り合い、新たな賃金協定が締結された。 Both labor and management finally reached a compromise, and a new wage agreement was signed.
2. 彼は義父とうまく折り合えず、家族の集まりがぎこちなくなっていた。 He couldn't get along with his father-in-law, making family gatherings awkward.
3. 両社の条件が大きく異なるため、折り合いをつけるのに数ヶ月かかった。 Because the two companies' terms differed so greatly, it took several months to reach an agreement.

Usage Guide

Context: negotiation, business, relationships, labour

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 折り (ori, folding or yielding) and 合う (au, to mutually meet). The image is of two rigid positions bending toward each other until they finally connect.

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal