商談

• Reading: しょうだん
• Romaji: shoudan
• Kanji breakdown: 商 (shou) — trade, commerce; 談 (dan) — talk, discussion, negotiation
• Pronunciation: /ɕoː.daɴ/

Meaning

Business negotiation; commercial discussion; deal talk. Formal discussions between businesses aimed at concluding a transaction.

A noun specifically referring to discussions between businesses with the aim of reaching a commercial agreement — purchasing, contracting, partnership, etc. More specific than 話し合い. 商談中 means 'in negotiation'; 商談成立 means a deal has been reached; 商談会 is a trade meet-up or business matching event. Common in B2B sales and procurement.

Examples

1. 来週、大手スーパーとの仕入れ商談が控えており、資料の準備に追われている。 Next week we have procurement negotiations with a major supermarket chain, and we are rushed with preparing materials.
2. 長期にわたる商談がようやくまとまり、正式契約の運びとなった。 After lengthy negotiations, a deal was finally reached and the formal contract is now being drawn up.
3. 海外バイヤーとの商談では、通訳の質が交渉の成否を左右することがある。 In negotiations with overseas buyers, the quality of the interpreter can determine the success or failure of the talks.

Usage Guide

Context: sales, procurement, B2B, trade events

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 商 (shou, trade/commerce) and 談 (dan, talk/discussion). The character 談 features 言 (words/speech) and 炎 (fire/flames), suggesting animated, heated discourse. Together: 'talk directed toward commercial ends.'

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Business professionals

Social background: Commercial