tǎolùn: 讨论 - To Discuss, Discussion

• Keywords: taolun, 讨论, discuss in Chinese, Chinese word for discussion, how to use taolun, Chinese verbs, HSK 3 vocabulary, talk over, debate vs discuss in Chinese, 商量, 辩论
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 讨论 (tǎolùn), meaning “to discuss” or “discussion.” This guide breaks down its characters, cultural nuances, and practical use in daily conversation, business, and online. Discover how 讨论 differs from chatting (聊天) or debating (辩论) and master its usage with 10 practical example sentences, making it a cornerstone of your conversational Mandarin.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): tǎolùn
• Part of Speech: Verb / Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: To discuss a specific topic or problem, often with the aim of finding a solution or reaching a deeper understanding.
• In a Nutshell: 讨论 (tǎolùn) is the go-to word for a focused conversation about a particular subject. It's more structured than a casual chat but generally less confrontational than a formal debate. Think of it as a collaborative exploration of ideas, whether you're planning a trip with friends or brainstorming solutions in a business meeting.

• 讨 (tǎo): This character is composed of the “speech” radical (言) and “inch” (寸). Imagine using precise, measured (inch by inch) speech to ask for something or to examine a topic. On its own, 讨 can mean “to ask for” or “to inquire.”
• 论 (lùn): This character also contains the “speech” radical (言). The other part (仑) suggests order or logic. Thus, 论 refers to an ordered, logical discourse, like an opinion, theory, or essay.
• Together, 讨论 (tǎolùn) literally means “to inquire and discourse,” painting a picture of a structured, verbal exploration of a topic.

In many Western contexts, a “discussion” can easily escalate into a “debate,” where the goal is to win an argument. The Chinese concept of 讨论 (tǎolùn), however, is often more deeply rooted in the cultural value of harmony (和谐, héxié). The primary goal of a 讨论 is frequently not to prove one person right and another wrong, but to allow all parties to express their opinions (发表意见, fābiǎo yìjiàn) in order to reach a collective understanding or a consensus that benefits the group. It is more collaborative than competitive. While a 讨论 can become passionate or heated, the underlying intention is usually to explore and solve, rather than to attack and defeat. This is different from 辩论 (biànlùn), which is a formal “debate” with clear opposing sides. For a learner, this means you can initiate a 讨论 without it being perceived as an aggressive challenge.

讨论 (tǎolùn) is an extremely versatile word used in virtually all aspects of modern life.

• Informal & Social: You'll use this with friends and family to talk about plans, movies, books, or personal problems.
  • e.g., “我们讨论一下周末去哪儿玩吧。” (Let's discuss where to go this weekend.)
• Formal & Business/Academic: It is the standard term for discussions in meetings, academic seminars, and project planning.
  • e.g., “下午的会议，我们要讨论新的市场策略。” (In this afternoon's meeting, we need to discuss the new market strategy.)
• Online: On forums (论坛, lùntán) and social media, comment sections often invite users for a “lively discussion” (热烈讨论, rèliè tǎolùn).

Its connotation is neutral, but it can be modified. A “heated discussion” (激烈的讨论, jīliè de tǎolùn) implies strong opinions, while a “group discussion” (小组讨论, xiǎozǔ tǎolùn) is a common activity in classrooms and workshops.

• Example 1:
  • 我们需要讨论一下这个问题。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào tǎolùn yīxià zhège wèntí.
  • English: We need to discuss this problem for a bit.
  • Analysis: A very common and neutral phrase used to initiate a focused conversation. “一下 (yīxià)” softens the tone, making it sound more casual.
• Example 2:
  • 他们正在讨论周末的计划。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen zhèngzài tǎolùn zhōumò de jìhuà.
  • English: They are discussing their plans for the weekend.
  • Analysis: Shows 讨论 used for everyday, informal planning among friends or family.
• Example 3:
  • 这个问题值得我们深入讨论。
  • Pinyin: Zhège wèntí zhídé wǒmen shēnrù tǎolùn.
  • English: This topic is worth our in-depth discussion.
  • Analysis: Here, 讨论 is a noun. The adverb 深入 (shēnrù) means “deeply,” indicating a serious and thorough conversation.
• Example 4:
  • 经过一番讨论，大家终于达成了一致。
  • Pinyin: Jīngguò yī fān tǎolùn, dàjiā zhōngyú dáchéngle yīzhì.
  • English: After some discussion, everyone finally reached a consensus.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the goal-oriented nature of 讨论 in a group setting, often aiming for agreement (达成一致, dáchéng yīzhì).
• Example 5:
  • 老师让学生们分组讨论这个故事。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī ràng xuéshēngmen fēnzǔ tǎolùn zhège gùshì.
  • English: The teacher had the students discuss the story in groups.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates the use of 讨论 in an educational context. 分组 (fēnzǔ) means “to divide into groups.”
• Example 6:
  • 关于这个新项目，我们明天开会讨论。
  • Pinyin: Guānyú zhège xīn xiàngmù, wǒmen míngtiān kāihuì tǎolùn.
  • English: Regarding this new project, we will have a meeting tomorrow to discuss it.
  • Analysis: A classic example of 讨论 in a business setting. 开会 (kāihuì) means “to hold a meeting.”
• Example 7:
  • 我想和你讨论一下我的职业发展。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xiǎng hé nǐ tǎolùn yīxià wǒ de zhíyè fāzhǎn.
  • English: I want to discuss my career development with you.
  • Analysis: Used for serious, personal topics that require advice or a focused conversation.
• Example 8:
  • 他们的讨论越来越激烈了。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen de tǎolùn yuèláiyuè jīliè le.
  • English: Their discussion is getting more and more heated.
  • Analysis: Shows that while 讨论 is often collaborative, it can become intense (激烈, jīliè). Here, 讨论 is used as a noun.
• Example 9:
  • 欢迎大家在评论区留言讨论！
  • Pinyin: Huānyíng dàjiā zài pínglùn qū liúyán tǎolùn!
  • English: Everyone is welcome to leave a comment in the comment section to discuss!
  • Analysis: A very common phrase used by bloggers and content creators to encourage online engagement.
• Example 10:
  • 这只是初步讨论，我们还没做任何决定。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhǐshì chūbù tǎolùn, wǒmen hái méi zuò rènhé juédìng.
  • English: This is just a preliminary discussion; we haven't made any decisions yet.
  • Analysis: Highlights that a 讨论 can be a process with different stages. 初步 (chūbù) means “preliminary” or “initial.”

A common pitfall for English speakers is using 讨论 (tǎolùn) for any kind of talking. It's crucial to distinguish it from its less formal cousin, 聊天 (liáotiān).

• 讨论 (tǎolùn): For a specific topic or problem. It has a purpose.
• 聊天 (liáotiān): For a casual, aimless chat. You chat about the weather, your day, or random thoughts. The purpose is social connection, not problem-solving.

Incorrect Usage:

• (Incorrect) 我和朋友在咖啡馆讨论了三个小时。 (Wǒ hé péngyǒu zài kāfēi guǎn tǎolùnle sān gè xiǎoshí.)
• Why it's wrong: Unless you were intensely debating a single topic for three hours, this sounds unnatural. You were likely just hanging out and chatting.
• Correct Usage: 我和朋友在咖啡馆聊了三个小时的天。 (Wǒ hé péngyǒu zài kāfēi guǎn liáole sān gè xiǎoshí de tiān.)

Similarly, don't confuse 讨论 (tǎolùn) with 辩论 (biànlùn). A 讨论 is a collaborative exploration, while a 辩论 is a formal debate with opposing sides trying to win.

• 商量 (shāngliang) - To consult or talk over, often with the goal of getting permission or coming to a mutual agreement. It feels more personal and collaborative than 讨论.
• 辩论 (biànlùn) - To debate. A formal, structured argument between opposing sides, common in competitions or parliaments. Much more adversarial than 讨论.
• 聊天 (liáotiān) - To chat. The most casual form of talking, with no specific agenda or goal.
• 谈 (tán) - To talk. A general term that can range from a casual chat (谈一谈) to a serious negotiation (谈判). 讨论 is a specific type of 谈.
• 会议 (huìyì) - Meeting; conference. The most common formal setting where a 讨论 takes place.
• 议论 (yìlùn) - To comment on; to talk about. Often implies discussing people, news, or events, and can sometimes carry a connotation of gossip.
• 意见 (yìjiàn) - Opinion; suggestion. The “raw material” that people contribute during a 讨论.
• 主题 (zhǔtí) - Topic; subject matter. The central focus of a 讨论.
• 谈判 (tánpàn) - To negotiate. A very formal discussion aimed at reaching a business or political agreement. It's a high-stakes form of talking.