harmonise
Meaning: To bring into agreement or consistency, making different elements work together smoothly. In music, to add accompanying parts to a melody.
Harmonise is extensively used in regulatory, legal, and policy contexts, particularly within the EU framework — harmonising standards, harmonising legislation across member states. It implies creating uniformity from diversity without forcibly eliminating differences. The word carries a positive connotation of cooperation and coherence, unlike 'standardise,' which can sound more bureaucratic and top-down.
Examples
- The directive required all member states to harmonise their food safety regulations within three years. 该指令要求所有成员国在三年内统一各自的食品安全法规。La directiva exigía a todos los Estados miembros armonizar sus normativas de seguridad alimentaria en un plazo de tres años.その指令は、全加盟国に対し3年以内に食品安全規制を統一することを義務づけた。그 지침은 모든 회원국에 3년 이내에 식품 안전 규정을 통일하도록 요구했다.
- The new head of department worked tirelessly to harmonise the conflicting approaches of her two predecessors. 新任部门负责人不懈努力,协调了前两任负责人截然不同的管理方式。La nueva jefa de departamento trabajó incansablemente para armonizar los enfoques contradictorios de sus dos predecesores.新任の部門長は、前任者二人の相反するアプローチを調和させるためにたゆまず尽力した。신임 부서장은 전임자 두 명의 상충하는 접근 방식을 조화시키기 위해 끊임없이 노력했다.
- Efforts to harmonise tax policy across the bloc have repeatedly stalled amid national opposition. 跨欧盟统一税收政策的努力因各国的反对而屡次搁浅。Los esfuerzos por armonizar la política fiscal en todo el bloque se han estancado repetidamente ante la oposición nacional.EU全体で税制を統一する取り組みは、各国の反対に遭い繰り返し頓挫している。EU 전역의 조세 정책을 통일하려는 노력은 각국의 반대에 부딪혀 번번이 좌초되었다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: professional, academic, journalism
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From French harmoniser, from harmonie, ultimately from Greek harmonia (agreement, concord), from harmos (joint). The musical sense preceded the figurative one in English usage, arriving in the 15th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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