How to say discuss in Chinese? The word is 商量 (shāng liang), which literally means “to measure together.” You’ll need this word constantly in China , whether you’re making plans with friends, negotiating at work, or deciding what to eat for dinner. Mastering 商量 is the key to moving from one-sided announcements to real collaborative conversations in Chinese.
When I first started learning Chinese, I’d make plans by simply stating what I wanted to do. “Let’s go here.” “We should do this.” My Chinese friends would smile politely but I could tell something was off. Then a colleague explained that in Chinese culture, decisions are made through 商量. A process of mutual discussion and agreement. It wasn’t about being indecisive. It was about respect. Once I started using 商量, my relationships with Chinese friends deepened dramatically. They weren’t just tolerating me anymore. They were actually including me in decisions.
The concept of 商量 goes deeper than just “discussing.” In Chinese culture, it carries the weight of consultation, of seeking input before acting. When you say “我们商量一下” (let’s discuss this), you’re not just proposing a conversation. You’re signaling respect for the other person’s opinion. Whether you’re making suggestions, making decisions, or making plans, knowing how to 商量 properly will change how Chinese people respond to you.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- The standard Chinese word for discuss is 商量 (shāng liang), which literally means “to measure together”
- Chinese culture values consultation before action. 商量 is how you show respect for others’ opinions
- Formal contexts may use 讨论 (tǎo lùn) for more serious debates, while 商量 keeps things collaborative
Core Ways to Say Discuss in Chinese
Standard Word: 商量 (shāng liang)
商量 (shāng liang) is the standard, everyday word for “discuss” in Mandarin Chinese. It’s used across all contexts. From casual dinner plans with friends to serious business negotiations. The word carries a sense of collaboration and mutual consultation that makes it essential for anyone who wants to communicate effectively in Chinese.
Unlike English where “discuss” can feel formal or academic, 商量 is warm and practical. It’s the word you’d use when suggesting that you and a friend figure out where to eat, or when a manager proposes that the team talk through a project plan. The underlying message is always: “Let’s figure this out together.”
Most commonly, you’ll hear it in phrases like:
Chinese: 我们商量一下。
Pinyin: Wǒ men shāng liang yí xià.
English: Let’s discuss this.
Pronunciation Guide
商量 breaks down into two syllables: shāng and liang.
商 (shāng): First tone, high and level. It sounds like “shahng” with a sustained, flat pitch. The “sh” is similar to English but with the tongue curled back slightly.
量 (liang): In this word, 量 takes the neutral tone (轻声), meaning it’s short, light, and unstressed. It sounds like “liang” with a quick, falling-rising dip. The difference between the full fourth tone (liàng) and the neutral tone here is subtle but important.
Together, the rhythm is: one firm, sustained syllable followed by a quick, light one. “SHAHNG-liang.” The contrast between the two tones makes the word flow naturally in conversation.
Character Breakdown
The beauty of 商量 is in its characters, which reveal a deeply collaborative mindset:
商 (shāng) means “to consult,” “to deliberate,” or “commerce.” In ancient Chinese, this character depicted the exchange of ideas or goods between people. It carries the sense of opening a dialogue, of bringing things out into the open for consideration.
量 (liáng/liàng) means “to measure” or “capacity.” The character shows a person weighing grain in a measuring vessel . The careful calculation of what’s available and what’s needed.
Together, 商量 literally means “to measure together.” This isn’t just a poetic coincidence. It captures the essence of Chinese decision-making: you put all the factors on the table, you weigh them together with the other person, and you arrive at a shared conclusion. No one dictates. Everyone contributes to the measurement.
Related Vocabulary
Expand your discussion vocabulary with these related words:
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 商量 | shāng liang | discuss / consult | Standard, collaborative |
| 讨论 | tǎo lùn | discuss / debate | More formal, analytical |
| 谈谈 | tán tan | chat / talk | Casual, friendly |
| 研究 | yán jiū | research / study | Investigating a topic |
| 考虑 | kǎo lǜ | consider / think over | Reflecting before deciding |
| 意见 | yì jiàn | opinion / suggestion | Sharing your view |
Polite Ways to Discuss in Chinese
Chinese culture places a premium on face-saving and indirect communication. Starting a discussion with a blunt “let’s talk” can feel pushy. Here are smoother ways to initiate 商量:
Softening with “Can we”
Adding 能不能 (néng bù néng, “can we”) before your request makes it sound like an invitation rather than a demand:
Chinese: 我们能不能商量一下这件事？
Pinyin: Wǒ men néng bù néng shāng liang yí xià zhè jiàn shì?
English: Can we discuss this matter?
Using “I want to” for directness
In formal or professional contexts, stating your intention clearly but politely works well:
Chinese: 我想跟您商量一件事。
Pinyin: Wǒ xiǎng gēn nín shāng liang yí jiàn shì.
English: I’d like to discuss something with you. (using 您 for respect)
The casual “let’s figure it out”
Among friends, you can be more relaxed. 怎么 (zěn me, “how”) + 商量 naturally invites input:
Chinese: 这个周末怎么商量？
Pinyin: Zhè ge zhōu mò zěn me shāng liang?
English: How should we plan this weekend? (literally: How do we discuss this weekend?)
Common Mistakes
Even advanced learners slip up with 商量. Watch out for these:
Mistake 1: Using 商量 for one-way announcements
商量 implies a back-and-forth. If you’re just informing someone of a decision you’ve already made, don’t say you want to 商量. That’s misleading and can cause real frustration when the other person realizes they had no actual input.
Mistake 2: Confusing 商量 with 讨论
商量 is collaborative . You’re working toward a shared decision. 讨论 (tǎo lùn) is more analytical . You’re examining a topic from different angles, possibly without needing to reach agreement. Don’t use 讨论 when you mean “let’s decide together.”
Mistake 3: Forgetting the cultural weight
When you propose 商量 with your boss or an elder, you’re not just suggesting a chat. You’re acknowledging their authority and seeking their blessing. The tone and body language should match that respect.
Practical Usage
At Work
Chinese workplaces run on hierarchy, but good managers still 商量 with their teams. The phrase “大家商量一下” (let’s all discuss this together) is a manager’s way of showing they value team input, even if they ultimately make the final call.
Chinese: 这个方案我们商量商量，明天再决定。
Pinyin: Zhè ge fāng àn wǒ men shāng liang shāng liang, míng tiān zài jué dìng.
English: Let’s discuss this plan and decide tomorrow.
With Friends
Among friends, 商量 is how you make plans. It’s the difference between “I’m going here, you coming?” and “Where should we go?” Chinese friendships often involve more group consensus than Western ones.
Chinese: 晚上吃什么？我们商量商量。
Pinyin: Wǎn shang chī shén me? Wǒ men shāng liang shāng liang.
English: What should we eat tonight? Let’s discuss.
With Family
In Chinese families, major decisions (buying a house, choosing a school, planning a trip) are almost always made through 商量. Even adult children typically consult their parents before major life moves. It’s not dependency; it’s respect for the collective wisdom of the family.
Chinese: 买房是大事，得跟父母商量。
Pinyin: Mǎi fáng shì dà shì, děi gēn fù mǔ shāng liang.
English: Buying a house is a big deal. You need to discuss it with your parents.
To keep building on 商量, bookmark the Wiktionary entry for 商量 and the MDBG dictionary entry for 商量, both list extra example words and combinations worth knowing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions
What’s the difference between 商量 and 讨论?
商量 (shāng liang) is collaborative . You’re working together toward a decision. 讨论 (tǎo lùn) is analytical . You’re examining a topic from different angles, possibly without needing to agree. Use 商量 for planning, 讨论 for debates.
Is 商量 formal or casual?
商量 is neutral and works in both formal and casual settings. For very formal business contexts, you might use 商议 (shāng yì), which is more elevated. Among friends, 商量 is perfectly natural.
How do I respond when someone says “我们商量一下”?
Say “好的” (hǎo de, “okay”) or “行” (xíng, “sure”) to agree. If you want to add enthusiasm: “好，我们商量商量” (great, let’s discuss). Then contribute your thoughts to the conversation.
Can 商量 be used for arguments?
No. 商量 implies cooperation and mutual respect. If there’s conflict, Chinese speakers might use 争论 (zhēng lùn, “argue”) or 吵架 (chǎo jià, “quarrel”). Never use 商量 to describe a heated disagreement.
Why do Chinese people 商量 so much?
Chinese culture values collective harmony over individual autonomy. Making unilateral decisions can seem selfish or disrespectful. 商量 ensures everyone feels heard and maintains social harmony. It’s not indecisiveness. It’s cultural wisdom.
Advanced ways for how to say discuss in Chinese sentences
Here are five natural ways to use 商量 in increasingly complex situations:
1.
Chinese: 这件事我需要跟老板商量一下。
Pinyin: Zhè jiàn shì wǒ xū yào gēn lǎo bǎn shāng liang yí xià.
English: I need to discuss this matter with my boss.
2.
Chinese: 我们能不能先商量时间，再商量地点？
Pinyin: Wǒ men néng bù néng xiān shāng liang shí jiān, zài shāng liang dì diǎn?
English: Can we first discuss the time, then the location?
3.
Chinese: 这个决定是我们一起商量出来的。
Pinyin: Zhè ge jué dìng shì wǒ men yì qǐ shāng liang chū lái de.
English: This decision was reached through our collective discussion.
4.
Chinese: 如果你有问题，我们可以慢慢商量。
Pinyin: Rú guǒ nǐ yǒu wèn tí, wǒ men kě yǐ màn man shāng liang.
English: If you have concerns, we can discuss them slowly and carefully.
5.
Chinese: 这么大的事，你应该跟家人商量商量。
Pinyin: Zhè me dà de shì, nǐ yīng gāi gēn jiā rén shāng liang shāng liang.
English: For something this important, you should discuss it with your family.
