Meaning of 商量
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to consult
- to talk over
- to discuss
How to use 商量
商量 is an everyday verb for discussing a decision with someone, often with 跟 or 和 marking the other person. It is commonly reduplicated as 商量商量 to sound softer and more casual. Example: 我跟妈妈商量一下。(Wǒ gēn māma shāngliang yíxià.) I'll talk it over with my mom.
商 (shāng) appears in trade words like 商店 (shāngdiàn) and 商人 (shāngrén), and 量 (liàng) means to measure or weigh. Picture two merchants weighing up a deal together before they agree, and you have 商量: to talk something over.
Common mistake: In 商量 the second syllable is neutral tone, shāngliang, but learners often say shāngliàng because 量 is liàng in words like 大量 (dàliàng) and 力量 (lìliàng). Also avoid putting the person directly after the verb: say 跟他商量 (gēn tā shāngliang), not 商量他.
商量 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
商 shāng · commerce · 11 strokes
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量 liáng · to measure · 12 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 商量.
| 商店 | shāngdiàn | store; shop |
| 商场 | shāngchǎng | shopping mall; shopping center |
| 大量 | dàliàng | great amount; large quantity |
| 商人 | shāngrén | merchant; businessman |
| 力量 | lìliàng | power; force; strength |
| 尽量 | jǐnliàng | as much as possible; to the greatest extent |
| 商业 | shāngyè | business; trade |
| 数量 | shùliàng | amount; quantity; quantitative |
| 商品 | shāngpǐn | commodity; goods; merchandise |
| 重量 | zhòngliàng | weight |
| 质量 | zhìliàng | (physics) mass; quality (i.e. degree of excellence) |
| 测量 | cèliáng | survey; to measure |
Questions about 商量
What does 商量 mean?
商量 (shāngliang) means "to consult; to talk over" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 商量?
商量 is made of 2 characters: 商 (11 strokes), 量 (12 strokes). That is 23 strokes in total.
Is 商量 an HSK word?
Yes. 商量 is on the HSK 2 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 商量 and 讨论?
商量 is casual and usually about reaching a practical decision together, such as plans or arrangements. 讨论 (tǎolùn) is more formal and focuses on exchanging views on a topic, like in a class or meeting.
What does 有商量 or 没商量 mean?
这件事有商量 means the matter is still negotiable. 没商量 means there is no room for discussion, as in 这件事没商量 (zhè jiàn shì méi shāngliang), meaning this is not up for debate.