tuǒxié: 妥协 - Compromise, Concede, Reconcile

• Keywords: 妥协 meaning, tuoxie Chinese, compromise in Chinese, how to say compromise in Mandarin, Chinese negotiation, tuoxie vs rangbu, cultural compromise in China, making a deal in Chinese.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 妥协 (tuǒxié), which means “to compromise” or “reach a settlement.” This page explores its core meaning, cultural significance in valuing harmony, and practical use in everything from business negotiations to personal relationships. Understand the crucial difference between a mutual 妥协 (tuǒxié) and a one-sided concession, 让步 (ràngbù), to navigate social and professional situations in China effectively.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): tuǒxié
• Part of Speech: Verb, Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To compromise or reach a settlement by making mutual concessions.
• In a Nutshell: `妥协` is the art of finding the middle ground. It's the process where two or more parties each give up something to resolve a conflict or reach an agreement. Far from being seen as a weakness, in Chinese culture, the ability to `妥协` is often viewed as a sign of maturity, wisdom, and a commitment to maintaining harmony. It can be an action (to compromise) or the result itself (a compromise).

• 妥 (tuǒ): This character means “appropriate,” “proper,” or “settled.” It combines a hand (爫) at the top and a woman (女) at the bottom. You can think of it as a hand gently arranging things to be in a proper, stable state.
• 协 (xié): This character means “to cooperate,” “to harmonize,” or “to be in agreement.” It is made of “ten” (十) over three “power/effort” radicals (力). This visually represents many (ten) forces working together in harmony.
• Together, 妥协 (tuǒxié) literally translates to “appropriately harmonizing” or “settling through cooperation.” This perfectly captures the essence of two sides working together to find a suitable, balanced resolution.

In Chinese culture, `妥协` is not just a negotiation tactic; it's a deeply ingrained social value closely linked to the concept of 和谐 (héxié) - harmony. While Western cultures, particularly in the US, might sometimes praise “sticking to your guns” and view compromise as “selling out,” Chinese culture often sees an unwillingness to compromise as childish, stubborn, or socially disruptive. The goal is often to ensure that a relationship, whether personal or professional, continues smoothly. A successful `妥协` allows both parties to 面子 (miànzi) - save face, as no one is seen as the absolute “loser.” It demonstrates a practical and wise approach to problem-solving, prioritizing the long-term health of the group or relationship over individual “victory.” This contrasts with a more individualistic mindset where winning an argument or negotiation is often the primary goal. `妥协` is the tool used to achieve a win-win situation that preserves social balance.

`妥协` is a high-frequency word used across various domains.

• Business Negotiations (商业谈判): This is a cornerstone of doing business in China. It is almost always expected that the initial offer is just a starting point, and both sides will need to `妥协` to reach a final 协议 (xiéyì) - agreement. A refusal to do so can be seen as bad faith.
• Personal Relationships: In arguments between partners, friends, or family, `妥协` is the key to resolution. Suggesting “我们互相妥协一下吧” (Let's both compromise a bit) is a common way to de-escalate a conflict.
• Political and Diplomatic Contexts: The term is used constantly in news reports about domestic policy and international relations to describe reaching a political settlement.
• Connotation: The connotation of `妥协` is generally neutral to positive, signifying pragmatism and reason. However, it can be negative if it implies abandoning one's core values or principles. For example, “在原则问题上，我们绝不妥协” (On matters of principle, we will never compromise).

• Example 1:
  • 为了达成协议，双方都做出了一些妥协。
  • Pinyin: Wèile dáchéng xiéyì, shuāngfāng dōu zuòchūle yīxiē tuǒxié.
  • English: In order to reach an agreement, both sides made some compromises.
  • Analysis: This is a classic example of `妥协` used as a noun in a business or formal context. It highlights the mutual nature of the action.
• Example 2:
  • 在婚姻中，夫妻双方都需要学会妥协。
  • Pinyin: Zài hūnyīn zhōng, fūqī shuāngfāng dōu xūyào xuéhuì tuǒxié.
  • English: In a marriage, both husband and wife need to learn to compromise.
  • Analysis: Here, `妥协` is used as a verb, signifying the act of compromising as a skill necessary for a healthy relationship.
• Example 3:
  • 这不是最好的方案，但这是一个可以接受的妥协。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bùshì zuì hǎo de fāng'àn, dànshì zhè shì yīgè kěyǐ jiēshòu de tuǒxié.
  • English: This isn't the best plan, but it is an acceptable compromise.
  • Analysis: This shows `妥协` used as a noun to describe the outcome. The tone is pragmatic, acknowledging that the result isn't perfect but is good enough.
• Example 4:
  • 他太固执了，从不向任何人妥协。
  • Pinyin: Tā tài gùzhí le, cóngbù xiàng rènhé rén tuǒxié.
  • English: He is too stubborn; he never compromises with anyone.
  • Analysis: This example shows the negative perception of someone who is unwilling to compromise. The preposition `向 (xiàng)` meaning “towards” is often used with `妥协`.
• Example 5:
  • 我们不能在安全标准上做任何妥协。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bùnéng zài ānquán biāozhǔn shàng zuò rènhé tuǒxié.
  • English: We cannot make any compromises on safety standards.
  • Analysis: This highlights the negative connotation of `妥协` when dealing with non-negotiable principles or rules.
• Example 6:
  • 经过长时间的谈判，他们终于达成了妥协。
  • Pinyin: Jīngguò cháng shíjiān de tánpàn, tāmen zhōngyú dáchéngle tuǒxié.
  • English: After a long negotiation, they finally reached a compromise.
  • Analysis: The phrase `达成妥协 (dáchéng tuǒxié)` is a common collocation meaning “to reach a compromise.”
• Example 7:
  • 你必须在理想和现实之间找到一个妥协点。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bìxū zài lǐxiǎng hé xiànshí zhījiān zhǎodào yīgè tuǒxié diǎn.
  • English: You must find a point of compromise between ideals and reality.
  • Analysis: `妥协点 (tuǒxié diǎn)` literally means “compromise point,” referring to the specific middle ground that is found.
• Example 8:
  • 我愿意妥协，只要你也能让一步。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ yuànyì tuǒxié, zhǐyào nǐ yě néng ràng yībù.
  • English: I am willing to compromise, as long as you can also make a concession.
  • Analysis: This sentence perfectly illustrates the mutual expectation of `妥协`. It links the speaker's willingness to compromise to the other person's willingness to `让步 (ràngbù) - concede`.
• Example 9:
  • 这项政策是不同利益集团之间妥协的产物。
  • Pinyin: Zhè xiàng zhèngcè shì bùtóng lìyì jítuán zhījiān tuǒxié de chǎnwù.
  • English: This policy is the product of a compromise between different interest groups.
  • Analysis: A formal and slightly detached way to describe a political or social outcome. `产物 (chǎnwù)` means “product” or “outcome.”
• Example 10:
  • 对恐怖分子妥协只会鼓励他们。
  • Pinyin: Duì kǒngbù fènzǐ tuǒxié只会 gǔlì tāmen.
  • English: Compromising with terrorists will only encourage them.
  • Analysis: Another clear example of the negative usage, where compromising is seen as a sign of weakness and morally wrong. The preposition `对 (duì)` is used here to mean “towards” or “with.”

• `妥协 (tuǒxié)` vs. `让步 (ràngbù)` - The Most Common Pitfall:
  • `妥协 (tuǒxié)` is mutual. It implies both sides are giving something up to meet in the middle. Think of it as a two-way street.
  • `让步 (ràngbù)` means “to concede” or “to give ground.” It can be one-sided. One person can `让步` without the other person doing anything. Think of it as a one-way street.
  • Example: In a negotiation, you might say: “我方可以让步，降低价格，希望贵方也能妥协，接受我们的付款条件。” (Wǒ fāng kěyǐ ràngbù, jiàngdī jiàgé, xīwàng guì fāng yě néng tuǒxié, jiēshòu wǒmen de fùkuǎn tiáojiàn.) → “Our side can make a concession by lowering the price, and we hope your side can also compromise by accepting our payment terms.” Using them incorrectly can make your negotiation stance unclear.
• Incorrect Usage:
  • Wrong: 我妥协你。(Wǒ tuǒxié nǐ.) This is grammatically incorrect. You don't “compromise someone.”
  • Correct: 我愿意跟你妥协。(Wǒ yuànyì gēn nǐ tuǒxié.) - I am willing to compromise with you.
  • Correct: 我愿意向你妥协。(Wǒ yuànyì xiàng nǐ tuǒxié.) - I am willing to compromise/yield to you. (This has a slightly weaker feel, like you are giving in more).

• 让步 (ràngbù) - To make a concession; a key component of `妥协`, but can be one-sided.
• 谈判 (tánpàn) - To negotiate; the formal process where `妥协` is the primary tool.
• 和谐 (héxié) - Harmony; the major cultural value that `妥协` aims to preserve.
• 折中 (zhézhōng) - To take a middle course, to strike a balance. A very close synonym to `妥协`, often interchangeable, but can sometimes feel more like finding a “golden mean” rather than a result of conflict resolution.
• 协议 (xiéyì) - An agreement, pact, or protocol; the formal document or understanding that results from a successful `妥协`.
• 合作 (hézuò) - To cooperate; you can cooperate without compromising, but you almost always need to cooperate to reach a compromise.
• 投降 (tóuxiáng) - To surrender; an extreme, one-sided, and complete concession, far beyond `妥协`.
• 面子 (miànzi) - “Face” or social dignity. A good `妥协` allows all parties involved to save face.
• 让 (ràng) - To yield, to let, to allow. The foundational character and concept in `让步`.